Mr. Herbert "Herb" H Touchton

Mr. Herb, referred to by most friends, was a devoted man to God, his family and his community of Clinton, MS. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Clinton.

He retired with BellSouth/AT&T after 33 years of service. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed woodworking and building, gardening, watching his sons & grandsons play ball, singing old hymns along with the Oak Ridge Boys and country tunes with Marty Robbins and never missed Wheel of Fortune. Of all his life’s pleasures he loved time with family and friends, and nothing could compare to his years of service to others through serving the community of Clinton.

His residency in Clinton began in 1961, where his first service was with the Youth Council providing activities to the young people of Clinton utilizing (1) little league ball field, school, and church property for recreational use. He was active in the Clinton Jaycee’s for 12 years, an organization very active in the community providing activities and worthwhile projects for Clinton citizens serving an office on the local, state, and national levels. During his 2 terms as local President, land was provided for the City Library, they built the Clinton Community Center, they owned and maintained a new community swimming pool and petitioned the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to begin building a Police Department for the rapidly growing city.

In 1964 he was appointed by the Mayor to serve on the first Long Range Planning Board to develop a comprehensive plan for future growth providing services for 20 years including a North/South Corridor that was completed as The Parkway in 2001 or what his family calls Herb’s Highway.

In 1968 he was appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to fill an unexpired alderman term and was appointed in 1970 to the Planning and Zoning Board serving in that capacity until elected in 1973 to his first full term as Alderman. He negotiated the lease of the 16-section land to begin what is now Traceway Park and started a full-time recreational department. He was re-elected to a second term in 1977 and served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Committee to establish the Clinton Municipal School District, on the Committee, found and negotiated the purchase to bring the YMCA to Clinton and served as President of the YMCA Board and was President of the Hinds County Republican Party.

Serving terms as Ward 5 Alderman also included 1993, 1997, and 2001. Mr. Herb’s record of public service is unique in that he had served in Municipal Government over 5 decades. Those that knew him called him friend, always helpful, and dry witted. We are so thankful for his legacy of love, caring, leadership and service.

Herb is preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Touchton. He is survived by his children, Donna (Bill) Walters, Todd Touchton, and Jad (Megan) Touchton, his grandchildren, Hunter Walters and Ty Touchton and very special friend, Mrs. Lucy Harris.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 1 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson, MS. Visitation will also be on Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM followed by the celebration service at Lakewood. A committal service with military honors will follow at the Lakewood Memorial Park pavilion.

Memorials can be made in Mr. Herb’s honor to Bosom Buddies of Clinton at 101 E. Main St., Clinton, MS 39056.