Montgomery County honors distinguished citizens

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Montgomery County, TN – On Wednesday, Montgomery County held an event to re-dedicate the Montgomery County Civic Hall in honor of Judge William O. Beach; and to dedicate the green space located near the entrance to the hall as the Robert E. Thompson Memorial Garden in honor of former County Executive Robert E. Thompson. Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers emceed the ceremony. The invocation was given by Pastor Jimmy Terry.

A county worker unveils the name of the re-dedicated Civic Hall

Judge William O. Beach served as the Montgomery County Judge for over 21 years. According to County Mayor Carolyn Bowers said, “It is said that he lead with flair, style, and class. Those are certainly great accomplishments for to a man who devoted many years to this community.”

Louisa Cooke spoke on behalf of the Beach Family. She was to the point of tears talking about her father’s dedication to the community.

The original Montgomery County Civic Hall was dedicated in his honor. It was destroyed by the 1999 tornado that ravaged the downtown area. “So as we have recovered and rebuilt, it is only fitting that we rename our new civic hall in Judge Beach’s honor,” she continued.

Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers listens as Louisa Cooke speaks about her father

Robert E. Thompson served as County Purchasing Agent, Accounts and Budget Director, and Montgomery County Executive. “His forward thinking and futuristic planning is the reason that this Montgomery County Veterans Plaza is here today, and it serves many county and state offices.” said Mayor Bowers.

In the garden are Snow Goose (Prunus serrulata) Flowering Cherry Trees, and one of the trees was purchased and dedicated by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library in his honor. Flowering cherries are popular because they signify the beginning of the new spring season with an abundance of white or pink flowers. The ‘Snow Goose Cherry’ can be a very striking tree featuring white blossoms with a bright green foliage.

Randy Clouser spoke on behalf of the Thompson family. Clouser serves as the executive vice president of Cumberland Bank and Trust and serves on its board. He is the son-in-law of Robert E. Thompson, and is married to Robert’s daughter Allison.