Remembering Paul Thompson…

By Debbie Gregory

A dear friend of the Macon County Chronicle, Mr. Paul Thompson, passed away last week and it has only been three months since I wrote a story about his retirement from Tri-County Electric after 27 years with the company, 24 of those years as CEO. Today, I am writing about his death.

In an ever-changing world, Paul remained the same through the years. He was a good guy, who was community minded, and he seemed to have a great understanding of people. He was soft spoken and respectful to everyone, and I always admired him.

He told me several years ago that Tri-County Electric had a vested interest in the community. “We care about the folks because they are our family, our friends, people we went to school with or go to church with or played sports with,” Paul said.

In March of 1998, Paul was hired as the Tri-County Electric Director of Marketing, and in 2001 when former CEO, David Callis, accepted the Governmental Relations position at the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, the board asked Paul to accept the CEO position.

Paul had a strong work ethic and he told me in an interview back in April that one of his greatest accomplishments during his time at Tri-County Electric was improving the financial condition of the cooperative. “The foundation of our financial turnaround occurred in 2003, when Tri-County became the first electric cooperative in Kentucky or Tennessee to install automated metering,” he said.

Paul was brought up in a single parent household, and his mother raised him and his sister on a factory worker’s salary. He said he believed that his childhood experiences helped him to understand how the cost of monthly utilities impacts the quality of life. “The CEO of a member-owned rural electric cooperative must never lose focus on the fact that many of our members live paycheck to paycheck and on fixed incomes” said Paul. “That is why we continuously look for ways to save our members money and improve the quality of life in our community.”

Paul said during the interview that he had witnessed a lot of changes through the years, but the one constant had been the dedication of the Tri-County employees, especially after the tornado outbreak in 2008.

“Looking back I realize it was Macon County’s loyalty to each other that contributed greatly to our recovery after the tornado outbreak here on February 5, 2008,” said Paul. “Tri-County stayed positive, which was the only way to get through this ordeal, and worked hard to restore electricity to our devastated community. We quickly implemented the disaster plan and every employee worked during the tornado recovery in some capacity.”

“It was a hard time for Tri-County Electric employees witnessing first hand folks suffering through the tornado aftermath, and I’m sure this tragedy left wounds that took a long time to heal. It was a sad time for Macon County and I want to commend the electric company for seeing us through this heartbreaking ordeal.”

“I will always be proud that I was a part of a company whose employees are truly committed to their jobs,” said Paul. “The strength and compassion of Tri-County Electric employees during this time is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Paul said a person can only be successful at a job when they are surrounded by the right people. “The board members, the employees and customers here – I’ll miss all of them, including the friends I have made in the industry,” Paul said in the April interview. “The past 27 years has been the most enjoyable and rewarding time of my life. I want to thank everyone for their support throughout my career.”

Paul leaves behind a legacy as the longest serving CEO at Tri-County Electric.

He was a former president of the Macon County Chamber of Commerce and the Lafayette Rotary Club. He was a former Chamber of Commerce citizen of the year and he was instrumental in obtaining funds for the Leon and Marie Cothron Macon County Welcome Center. He was also a member of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Words can’t express the deep sorrow the Macon County Chronicle feels at the loss of Paul Thompson. He was a gentleman of exceptional character, and his death has brought great sadness to our community. His friendly and unselfish spirit will be remembered by all those who knew him.

Funeral services for Paul Thompson were conducted on Tuesday afternoon, July 8, 2025, from the chapel of Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Lafayette with Pastor Ron Mathis officiating. Burial followed in the Macon County Memorial Gardens.

Paul is survived by wife, Dawn Gaines Thompson; sons, Marcus Thompson & wife, Kailyn, Ryan Thompson & wife, Savannah; grandsons, Tate & Riggs Thompson; sisters, Dorthy Shoulders & husband Jerry, Betty Claiborne & husband, Glenn; mother-in-law, Shirley Gaines; brother-in-law, David Gaines & wife, Kathy; sisters-in-law, Dale Reid, Diana Hernandez & husband, David; a host of nieces and nephews.

Rest in peace Paul, we will never forget you.

“You have to care about people, and you can’t ever lose sight of that – no matter what you do in life.” – Paul Thompson.