Harold Joseph “Hal” Thompson, 58, of Knoxville, passed away Aug. 9. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. Obituary details are here.
Hal Thompson
On Thursday, July 18, at AMR headquarters in Karns, I met and spent almost three hours with Hal Thompson. He spent 37 years doing what he loved – being a paramedic and riding ambulances for Rural Metro/AMR. That story is here.
Last Friday he died doing what he loved – hiking a trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with his brother.
Here’s what he told me about his job: “A lot of people wonder if they make a difference in their lives. I know that in my life and in this job I make a difference in many lives day in and day out.”
And he did.
His goal was to hike all of the trails in the Smokies. He was the real deal. We connected. We agreed we’d have lunch together one day. Not now. He was a father and a grandfather. Twenty-two days after we met he’s gone. I pray for his family, friends and his co-workers at AMR. Rest well, my friend.