Few people are truly considered as a legend in their own time. Artesia has been fortunate enough to have known one in Ernest Thompson and now mourns his death and celebrates his life.

Thompson died Tuesday night at the age of 90, less than two weeks after the Feb. 27 death of his sweetheart and wife of 59 years, Grace.

"There are really no words that can explain him. He’s really a legend," noted Jan Briggs, City Treasurer.

Serving as mayor of Artesia from 1972 through 1998, the vision Thompson had for the city was positive and progressive; the impact Thompson had on the city was vigorous and enduring.

Mayor Daniel Reyes said, "I think we’ve lost a leader that has served the community well through his leadership and his love for Artesia."

David Joyce, City Superintendent of Streets remarked, "He did a great job for this city for a long time — 26 years — you’ve got to admire that."

"We felt like he was a good guy," added Max Thomas of the Eddy County Sheriff's Office.

Reyes continued, "Artesia has had a tremendous benefit in the things he’s done for Artesia. He’s put Artesia where we are today through his leadership and dedication."

During Thompson’s tenure as mayor, the federal government purchased the campus of the former Artesia Christian College and established the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

"He exhibited true dedication to the city of Artesia. Clearly, his longevity showed a great love for the city and he did his utmost toward it ..." stated Sgt. Michael Pitts, Artesia Police Department public information officer. "He was the most productive for the city that he could be.

"One accomplishment was the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center — there’s no question his relationship with (Pete) Domenici helped bring premiere law enforcement training to this city, of which we, as a police department, are able to take advantage."

At the 10th anniversary of the FLETC on Oct. 9, 1999, Thompson was honored for his efforts in bringing the FLETC to Artesia. A new residence hall at the facility was named in his honor at that time.

Artesia also saw the construction of a new city warehouse, law enforcement center, fire station and substation, new airport terminal and other airport improvements, neighborhood center, rebuilding the wastewater treatment plant, renovations of city hall in 1975 and 1993, development of the Senior Citizens Center and development of the industrial park among other municipal improvements.

"I can’t imagine anybody being able to do the things he did for the city of Artesia ... for the schools ... for the FLETC. He’s going to be greatly missed. We’ll all miss him," added Briggs.

Floyd "Greek" Economides, said, "He was one of the better mayors we ever had in the city of Artesia. He was strictly for the public and did everything he could to make things better for the city."

Roy Logsdon, former Artesia Fire Department chief said, "Ernest Thompson was a great man. He did a lot for the community. I knew him for years. He will be greatly missed."

Public service was a vital part of Thompson’s life. He was active in and held office for many organizations, including the Southeastern New Mexico Economic Development District, the New Mexico Municipal League, Municipal Advisory Committee to the State Department of Taxation and Revenue under Gov. Bruce King, National League of Cities and the National League of Cities Small Cities Advisory Council.

Lisa Johnston, assistant city clerk said, "I learned a lot about making government work from watching Ernest talking to state and federal representative and trying to get money for Artesia."

"He was like a bulldog," explained Barbara Kilough, City Clerk. "He didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer ... he was determined to make it work."

He was recognized by those organizations for his outstanding service to New Mexico cities, towns and villages and received several awards.

Councilman Manuel Madrid remembered, "Ernie Thompson and myself got along really well and worked together really well.

"I served on the city council with him for eight years. There were some ups and downs, but if you look at the total picture, it was excellent service.

"I think the city has lost a good leader, but we must continue on our way and try to make Artesia a better place for all of us to live."

City Attorney George Graham said, "He was a wonderful old guy and did a wonderful job for many years and I think we’ll all miss him."

Thompson was honored last year as a Living Treasure. "As for the man himself," Economides noted, "I don’t think you could find a better person than Ernest Thompson was.

"I just wish we could find a lot more people in the city of Artesia that thought as much as Ernest did for the public. He went out of his way to do as much as he could for the city."

In 1998, he received a plaque of appreciation from the Board of Education for 37 years service as the public address announcer at Bulldog Bowl and the press box has thereafter been known as the Ernest Thompson Press Box.

In 1995, Thompson was named the Woodsmen of the World Regional Citizen of the Year, in 1988, the Artesia Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Outstanding Citizen Award.

The Artesia Rotary Club benefited from Thompson’s input and presence, bestowing the Paul Harris Fellow Award upon him in 1987. Thompson served the Rotary as board member, treasurer and president.

In 1980 the Artesia Jaycees dubbed him Citizen of the Year.

Thompson was also honored by the Boy Scouts of America as the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award in 1963 for his dedicated service to the scouting program.

For four decades, Thompson was active in scouting, having organized Troop 69 in Loco Hills and serving as their Scout Master, then on moving to Artesia, He led Troop 28 and organized the first Explorer Post in the area.

He was also district chairman and served on the council board for 20 years.

Thompson was also active at the First United Methodist Church of Artesia, serving there on many committees and boards.

Thompson served as president of the Mexico Gideon Society; Artesia Quarterback Club; Artesia Little League and the Artesia Parents and Boosters Club.

From 1951 to 1976, Thompson worked as a purchasing agent for Navajo Refining. Prior to that, he worked as a bookkeeper for Hall Auto in Artesia and spent his first years as a New Mexican in Loco Hills, working for Grayburg Oil Co.

It was during this period that he married Grace King, whom he had known since high school.

Thompson worked as a tool dresser in McCamey, Texas until he discovered the Land of Enchantment in 1939, which was to be his home for more than half a century.

Thompson attended Howard Payne College in Brownfield, Texas. He was high school valedictorian in 1929 upon graduating from Talpa High School in Talpa, Texas, where he played football and learned to love the sport that was a part of his life long after his gridiron days.

"There aren’t enough words to express how we feel ... we didn’t work for him. We worked with him," Briggs commented. "He was very well respected within the state and the country," added Kilough.

Rosemary Evarts, longtime friend and former employee stated, "Of his 26 years as mayor, I worked with him closely for 22 of those years and I considered him a great boss and a great friend.

"I’ve had the privilege the last couple of years of helping with care of his wife, Grace, and with him and it’s just been an honor to consider them as true friends. I’ll really miss them."

Artesia was honored, and blessed, to be a part of the legacy left by Ernest Thompson. He will never be forgotten.