Clifford Josh Thompson

Clifford “Josh” Thompson (1923-2003) was an ordained Baptist preacher from Scott County who served as the county’s Trustee for 20 years, from 1970 to 1990.

Biography

Born in 1923, C.J. Thompson was the son of James Mitchell Thompson (1882-1959) and Florence Bell Duncan (1886-1968). He was one of nine children. His siblings included Gillie Jane, Elizabeth, Charlie Lee, James Don, Jamon Mitchell, Ida Bell, Warren Sylvester and Etta Rose.

Thompson married Doris Laxton (1925-2008). She was the daughter of Esau Laxton and Mertie Mae West. Her father served as Scott County Sheriff in the 1930s, and her brother, Jack Laxton, served as sheriff in the 1980s. Her first husband, Ben Opal Lay, was killed in World War II.

The Thompsons had five children: daughters Cookie and Tammy, and sons Jack, Steve and Roger. At the time of C.J. Thompson’s death, he had 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Professional life

Thompson, who was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Winfield, was ordained to preach in 1969. He pastored several churches in Scott County.

In 1970, Thompson was elected Scott County Trustee. He was re-elected in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986, serving a total of 20 years in that position before opting to retire in 1990. He left office on Sept. 1, 1990 and was replaced by Jim Posey. In his final election, 1986, he defeated Frazier Reagan 4,011 votes to 2,383.

Thompson’s son, Steve Thompson, followed his path in local politics and served several terms as Scott County Assessor of Property before retiring in 2016.

Death

Thompson died on Dec. 28, 2003 at McCreary County Health Care Center in Pine Knot, Ky., at the age of 80. A funeral service was held two days later at White Rock Baptist Church in Huntsville with Rev. Jim West and Rev. Dilbert Terry officiating. He was buried at Cooper Memorial Gardens in the Coopertown community of Oneida.