A well-known Trigg County businessman and former solid waste coordinator has passed away.
Jesse Ray Thomas, passed away Friday at the age of 88, at his home in Cadiz. Thomas, who most recently served as Trigg County solid waste coordinator for 18 years, moved to Cadiz in 1954 after graduating Dawson Springs High School in 1952.
He began working at a Ford dealership for a few years before accepting a job at Cadiz Auto Parts. He would purchase the NAPA store in 1964 and would also go on to own and operate Cadiz Kawasaki, with his wife and son for the next 42 years.
During his time as solid waste coordinator, “Mr. Jesse” was in charge of the county’s recycling center and the summer road cleanup crew, a program he helped establish to employ high school students to clean up local roadways.
He retired from that position in June.
Thomas was an active member of Cadiz Baptist Church for many years and served on the Trigg County Hospital board for 30 years. He also served on the Trigg County Recreation Complex board, the TVA Advisory board, and the U.S. Forestry Advisory board.
His involvement with the Land Between the Lakes area included the re-establishment of several hiking trails.
Thomas also established the West Kentucky Trail Riders, a local club in operation from 1970 to 1986, and founded the LBL 200, an invitation-only off-road race that is still being run. He is also credited for organizing the first Cadiz Cruz-In in 2007.
He leaves behind his wife – Paulette Thomas, a son, two grandsons, and four great-grandchildren.
Thomas’ legacy also continues following the renaming of the facility he operated for 18 years – now known as the Jesse Thomas-Trigg County Recycling Center. That name change was approved by Trigg County Fiscal Court in 2019.
His complete funeral arrangements can be found here.
