When Capt. Randy Thompson died last week Selma lost one of its best cheerleaders.

About 1-½ years ago Thompson brought his riverboat, The Phoenix, to Selma. The cruise vessel, a pontoon boat, became a familiar sight up and down the Alabama River. People would come from miles around to ride the Phoenix for a party or some other event.

In the weeks after the Phoenix first arrived Selma Mayor George Evans and some of the Selma City Council members sponsored trips for schoolchildren on the vessel. Mr. Thompson took them up and down the river, blowing the horn at The St. James Hotel and The Selma Times-Journal, much to the delight of his young passengers.

Mr. Thompson’s love for the river was obvious. He knew her like most of us know the road home.

Selma will miss Mr. Thompson’s enthusiasm and his care for his passengers and crew.

We at The Selma Times-Journal will miss the sound of the horn when he passed by. We will miss his wave and smile.