ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609300079
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER STAFF WRITER
Former City Councilman Hampton Thomas, who always pledged "effective, no-nonsense representation," died Saturday night at his Southwest Roanoke home of an apparent heart attack. He was 66.
Thomas served on council as a Democrat and an independent for 13 years until he was defeated in 1982. He also practiced law in Roanoke.
"I think the city has suffered a great loss," said former Mayor Noel Taylor. "I know Roanoke is a better place because he served."
Former councilman Robert Garland, who served with Thomas for 12 years, echoed that sentiment.
"He made many contributions to the city, and he will be missed," Garland said. "He was a very loyal member of the council, and he loved the city."
Taylor and Garland agreed that Thomas' greatest contribution as a councilman was his role in the expansion of the regional sewage treatment plant.
Thomas was the city's representative on the regional committee that decided, among other things, what price to charge for service.
"We admired the way he handled the negotiations," Taylor said. "He was always very firm, but also very fair."
His colleagues remember Thomas as an affable, kind-hearted man who got along with everyone on council, regardless of party affiliation.
Taylor and Thomas became good friends and agreed on most things, but the former mayor recalled one time when he could not persuade Thomas to vote with him.
"We were so close as friends that it troubled our spirits if we were not in agreement on something," Taylor said.
The issue has been forgotten, but not the friendly debate in the mayor's office. Thomas stopped by before that night's council meeting to let Taylor know how he planned to vote.
The majority of council supported the measure, Taylor said, and Thomas knew it.
"Well, Noel, you know this is going to pass," Thomas told Taylor.
"I know, Hamp, but I want you to vote for it," Taylor countered.
"Well, Noel, we can't vote together on everything," Thomas replied.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Lou, and two children.
LENGTH: Short : 48 linesby CNB