General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson Jr.

General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson, Jr., a respected public servant, longtime District Attorney General, and devoted family man, passed away on December 12, 2025. Known for his integrity, deep sense of justice, and unwavering commitment to the people he served, Tommy leaves behind a legacy that spans more than five decades of legal and civic service.
Born and raised in Hartsville, Tennessee, Tommy graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in 1960 and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Centre College in 1964. He began his career as a teacher at Castle Heights and Trousdale County High School before pursuing a law degree at Vanderbilt University, graduating in 1969. Following law school, he served honorably in the United States Army as the Chief Legal Officer of the Army Training Center at Fort Bragg until 1971, setting the course for a lifetime devoted to public service.
After serving as Assistant District Attorney General in Nashville, Tommy returned to Hartsville in 1973 to practice law alongside his father – a meaningful time that strengthened his connection to his community and to the people he would go on to serve for decades. In 1977, the Governor appointed him District Attorney General for the 15th Judicial District, which includes Wilson, Smith, Macon, Jackson, and Trousdale counties. He subsequently was elected to that position for six consecutive terms beginning in 1978.
Over the next 44 years, Tommy became one of the longest-serving prosecutors in Tennessee history. He was widely respected for his fairness, humility, and steady leadership, earning a reputation as a prosecutor who treated everyone with dignity – whether victims seeking justice, community members looking for guidance, or defendants in need of understanding. He had a rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life, a quality that defined his leadership and made him deeply trusted throughout the District.
In addition to his work in law enforcement, Tommy devoted 50 years of dedicated service to the Board of Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, including 29 years as Chairman. Under his leadership, the Cooperative expanded reliable electricity and brought high-speed internet to rural communities across Tennessee and Kentucky, strengthening the quality of life for families and businesses throughout the region.
Tommy also served on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank in Hartsville, where he played a key role in helping the small-town institution grow and compete in today's complex and competitive financial world, without sacrificing the hometown character and personal service that made the bank a cornerstone of the community. His steady judgment and deep understanding of the people the bank served were invaluable to its success.
During his tenure as District Attorney General, Tommy shaped the criminal justice system in his District and mentored countless attorneys who credit him with defining their careers and values. He was a tireless advocate for victims and helped establish the 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center, a non-profit organization that supports victims of abuse. In recognition of his career and public service, Cumberland University established the General Tom P. Thompson, Jr. Professorship in Criminal Justice, ensuring that future generations will benefit from the principles he championed.
In his spare time, Tommy found solace and joy on his farm in Hartsville, where he cherished the simple, grounding routines of raising cattle and tending the land. His farm was a sanctuary – a place where he embraced the quiet of early mornings, the reward of hard work, and the fulfillment that came from caring for the land he loved. It was also a place to spend quality time with his children and grandchildren, passing down wisdom and traditions.
Tommy loved attending bull sales with his brothers, swapping stories in small-town cafés and taverns, and discovering the character of the people and places that make rural Tennessee and Kentucky unique. He had a lifelong appreciation for history, a fondness for old westerns, and loved climbing into his John Deere tractor with his beloved Labrador Retriever, Deke.
Above all, Tommy was a devoted son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom Price Thompson and Margaret King Thompson, and is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Baxie, his three children, Price, Lissa (Bill Vestevich), and Keith (Meredith), and his seven grandchildren, Anna Baxter, Ashlyn, Robert, Charlotte, Nicholas, Will, and Thomas. Tommy also leaves behind his brothers, John (Jan), Eric, and Maben Thompson (Julie), as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.
General Tommy Thompson will be remembered for his dignified leadership, his lifelong service to the State of Tennessee, his devotion to family, and his enduring connection to his community. His legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he touched, the communities he steadfastly served, and the family that will forever cherish his memory.
Visitation will be held at Anthony Funeral Home in Hartsville, Tennessee, on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Hartsville on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at noon, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Hartsville Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center, the Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of your choice.
Anthony Funeral Home, 337 McMurry Blvd. E, Hartsville, TN 37074, 615-374-2280, www.sellarsfh.com.
Tribute Video
Funeral Service Livestream

Service Will Begin On:
December 20, 2025 @ 12:00pm CST