Sam W. Thompson

DR. SAM W. THOMPSON, age 70, of Jefferson County, TN passed away on August 31, 2009. He was a member of Church Street United Methodist Church in Knoxville. He attended Auburn University Veterinary School, and he received the Outstanding Senior Award in 1964 as well as the Upjohn Award for proficiency in clinical medicine. He served two years active duty in the United States Air Force in Mt. Clemons, MI, followed by seven years in the Reserves. He returned to Tennessee in 1967 to practice veterinary medicine, first as partner and then sole owner of Town and Country Animal Hospital. He was a member of the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and served a term as president of the Tennessee Board of Veterinarians. Dr. Thompson treated both large and small animals during the majority of his practice and devoted his career to their care and well being. A co-founder of First Peoples Bank of Jefferson County, he served as the Chairman of the Board from the bank?s inception until his death. He also sat on the board of the National Bank of Newport. He was a member of the Jefferson City Lions Club. Preceded in death by his firstborn son, Jeff, at age 18; and parents, J. C. and Mildred McDonald Thompson. He is survived by daughter Wendy of Atlanta, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Todd Wright of Knoxville, TN; son, Walt of Johnson City, TN; daughter, Millicent of Dandridge, TN; grandsons, Eli, Brody and Grayson of Knoxville; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Richard Laws of Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to one of the following: The Jeff Thompson Memorial Fund in care of First Peoples Bank, 206 W. Broadway Blvd., Jefferson City, TN 37760, or Church Street Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1303, Knoxville, TN 37901. The family will receive friends between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City. The family will also receive friends from 4:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, with the funeral service to follow at 5:00 p.m. with Rev. Darryll Rasnake officiating. Graveside interment service will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN (865) 475-3892