The longest serving member of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and a former state senator has died.
Joe Lee Thompson, 77, of Vinings, passed away Sept. 5, according to the obituary notice by Carmichael Funeral Homes.
Thompson's service is at 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at the Smyrna First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Marvin "Doc" Frady officiating and burial at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery.
In Thompson's honor, County Manager David Hankerson said Sept. 8, during the county commissioners' meeting, American flags were lowered to half staff across the county until after his funeral service.
During that meeting, Commissioner Bob Ott said, "His wisdom and compassion will be missed."
Calling Thompson's death "untimely," Commission Chairman Tim Lee said, "We extend our condolences and prayers to his family."
A longtime Atlanta resident, Thompson graduated from Bass High School and later attended Georgia Tech on a football scholarship.
After graduation, he moved to Cobb County where he was employed by Smyrna Federal Savings and Loan and served as vice president of mortgage and lending.
After 10 years in the mortgage business, Thompson entered politics, winning a State Senate seat in 1972 and representing Cobb County for 12 years.
After his service at the state level, Thompson was elected to the Cobb County Board of Commission in 1993, representing District 2.
As commissioner, Thompson earned a reputation "as a thoughtful decision maker and visionary" - most notably, with the widening of Atlanta Road to five lanes "which transformed the entire area from a declining industrial corridor to a vibrant residential community."
Thompson was instrumental in the multi-million dollar renovation of Cumberland Mall, the opening of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center and the improvement of the East-West Connector in addition to many other projects.
"Thompson's wisdom and leadership, his remarkable patience and diplomacy, vision and effective communications earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and associates," according to the obituary.
While serving as commissioner from 1993 to 2008 as the longest serving district commissioner in the history of the county, Thompson also was a leader in many civic and business organizations.
Thompson was devoted to his church for many years, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and superintendent of Sunday School at Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta.
He is survived by his wife Charlsie Thompson of Vinings, son Joe (Kelli) Thompson, Jr. of Florida, daughters Kelly Thompson of Avondale Estates, Deannie Robinson of Decatur, Lee (Gene) Cork of Marietta, grandchildren Bobby and Emi Cork, Abby, Aubrey, Jade, Autumn and Evan Thompson.
"We celebrate not only his life of service here on earth, but we celebrate his new life of service in God's Kingdom," his family stated.
