From left to right: Mayor Jim Arrington & Mark Thompson, son of the late, long-time City employee Jim Thompson
The City of LaGrange renamed Linden Avenue to Jim Thompson Drive in honor of long-time employee Jim Thompson, who worked as the City of LaGrange Cemetery Superintendent for thirty-five years, from 1969 to 2004.
The City held a dedication ceremony on Tuesday, June 3rd, on the newly renamed street that runs through the middle of Shadowlawn Cemetery.
“We want to say thank you to a man who basically spent his lifetime working for the City of LaGrange,” said Mayor Jim Arrington. “I wish I could have thanked him in person, but we are here now honoring him for his service with his family, friends, former coworkers, and the community. We are happy to honor the late Jim Thompson.”
Mark Thompson, Jim Thompson’s son, spoke on behalf of the family at the ceremony. “I know my daddy would have been beside himself and would have called everybody in six states saying, ‘they are going to name a road after me,’” said Thompson. “He would be real pleased. I’m sure he’s looking down on everybody, wanting to thank everyone for coming out for this great honor.”
Thompson was laid to rest in Shadowlawn Cemetery, where he served as Superintendent for more than three decades.