Jesse L. Thompson, age 71, of Water Avenue, Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Friday, April 6, 2012, at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead.

Born September 8, 1940, in Carter County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James and Carrie Fultz Thompson. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Ray Walters.

Jesse is survived by his wife of 51 years, Judy Ann Thompson; two daughters, Leigh Ann Williams and husband Tony and Lisa Knipp and husband Billy, all of Olive Hill, Kentucky; and three grandchildren, Alex Williams, Tori Elizabeth Knipp, and Karilee Knipp.

Other survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Mary Jo Thompson of Morehead, Kentucky; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Zelma and Bill Furnish of Hillsboro, Ohio, and Shirley Spencer and Ben Cothern of Shalimar, Florida; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Jess retired as Chief Deputy Fire Marshal in 2001 after 28 years of service in the State Fire Marshal’s office. An active member of the Morehead-Rowan County Jaycees for many years, Jess served as president twice and was on the Board of Directors when the Jaycees bought the farm, now known as Daniel Boone Jaycee Fairground. He was also active in the state Democratic Party and enjoyed fishing and wood crafting. He especially enjoyed making pens and other small products from wood. Jess was a member of Johnson First Church of God.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2012, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Governor Paul E. Patton, Rev. Mike Pennington, and Rev. Ben Furman officiating. Burial will follow in Bowen Chapel Cemetery in Carter County.

Pallbearers will be nephews Gary Furnish, Brent Furnish, Mike Walters, Joe Walters, J. R. Thompson, Lowell Thompson, Brian Thompson, and Michael Spencer.

Honorary pallbearers will be C. W. Cornett, Jack Flowers, Bob Kelley, Mike Haney, Rex Gardner, David “Cornbread” Manley, Rick Turner, Mark Poston, and Joe White.

Visitation is from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday, April 8, 2012, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to STAR (Saving the Animals of Rowan), 301 N. Wilson, Morehead, KY 40351 or Johnson First Church of God Food Pantry, 590 Cranston Road, Morehead, KY 40351.