Originally Posted October 4, 2018
The Port of Grays Harbor has confirmed that Commissioner Jack Thompson has died after suffering a head injury after falling on September 30 while in Santiago, Chile.
The Port tells KXRO that Thompson had been hospitalized since the fall and passed early this morning.
Thompson had been in the country with his wife, Trish, for the American Association of Port Authorities 107th Annual Convention.
Thompson joined the Port Commission in 1994 and was serving his 5th term representing District 2 as the third longest serving Commissioner in Port of Grays Harbor history.
In a statement, the Port said;
“A successful businessman in his own right, Commissioner Thompson was instrumental in the diversification and development of the Port over the past 25 years. His accomplishments include expanding the Port’s portfolio of cargoes to include dry bulk, liquid bulk, RORO, and OHOW in addition to the traditional wood-based commodities such as logs, lumber, pulp and paper that built the infrastructure that provides the platform for job creation at the Port today. Commissioner Thompson also led efforts to attract employment opportunities to the area through manufacturing and seafood processing and was a staunch supporter of longtime tenants that provided the foundation for the growth during his tenure on the Port Commission. An advocate for economic development, Commissioner Thompson worked with other leaders to ensure the assets of Satsop Business Park provided economic opportunities for the citizens of Grays Harbor.”
Representative Derek Kilmer issued a statement to KXRO about Thompson, saying;
The Port will begin developing procedures and a schedule to fill the vacant position, and the two remaining Port Commissioners will appoint a new Commissioner from District 2 within 90 days.