Morgan County Circuit Court Judge Glenn Thompson stepped down from his bench for the last time a week ago this past Monday. He had faithfully served the citizens of the county for 24 years, multiple terms in office, in the 8th Judicial Circuit State of Alabama. He watched, along with the other judicial members of Morgan County, as his successor and a man he had mentored, was sworn in. Charles Elliott takes his place after Judge Thompson decided to retire and did not seek re-election.

Judge Thompson is a native and favorite son of Hartselle. He was born in 1952 in Hartselle to Cline and Kathryn Poole, the youngest of four children. With his father passing early, Glenn’s life was influenced by his mother, teachers, and coaches, as well as from church family. Early in his life sports became an important part of his life. He played football for then Morgan County High School and was a walk on to the University of Alabama football team in 1970, after graduating from MCHS (now Hartselle High). He is a 1974 graduate of the University of Alabama, and a 1978 graduate of Cumberland School of Law.  

He and his wife Wanda, long time choral director for Hartselle City Schools, have 3 children and five grandsons. Judge Thompson was a founding member of New Covenant Church, now Daystar, serving both as an elder. He serves on the Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame Board, Hartselle Camp Meeting Board, and Hartselle Alumni Association Board, and can be seen on Friday nights in the fall, filming/videoing Hartselle High School football games. He also served on various judicial boards during his career.

Judge Thompson worked in private law practice from 1979 until 1994, when he was elected to his positon on the Court. He also serviced as Municipal Judge in Hartselle for 13 years.

One of the highlights of his long career was the establishment of Morgan County Drug Court. This was established in 2008 as a means of helping those with drug problems and addictions beat the problem, instead of going to prison. Judge Thompson commented on Sunday, at a celebration of his service, he truly felt this program made a difference. He stated if the person was sent to prison and served time they would come out without change and would be right back in his court again. Graduates from this program thanked “Judge,” as they referred to him for saving their lives. The graduates are now productive citizens living a drug-free life. All who spoke mentioned compassion and caring as they spoke of the man who made a difference and cared about their recovery.  With tears in their eyes they shared their stories, spoke of the love they had for him, as each embraced “Judge” after they honored his work, with their testimonies.

Judge Thompson showed much more than just interpreting the laws and handing out sentences for crimes, he cared for the person and his work from the bench showed this clearly, over the years.

As mentioned earlier, Judge Thompson gives of his time and support for many activities and programs in Hartselle and Morgan County. He definitely has God, family, career and service as his life goals, and it shows.  I believe without a doubt he lives this in his life “to whom much has been given, much is expected in return.”

Thanks Judge, for showing us the way to live and serve, putting others first and doing the right thing.