A two-vehicle wreck Saturday in Tallassee claimed the life of former Jemison High School principal Alan Davis Thompson.

Thompson, 49, of Calera was killed when the 2010 Chevrolet Impala he was driving collided with a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by Jeremy Stroud, 22, of Tallassee, according to an Alabama State Troopers release.

The wreck occurred at 5:34 p.m. on Cherokee Trail Road at the intersection of Alabama 14, eight miles west of Tallassee, the release said. Stroud was not injured.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate the crash.

Thompson had been the principal at Southside Middle School in Tallassee since the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.

He served as principal at JHS for four years prior to accepting the position at Southside in the summer of 2012.

JHS Assistant Principal Diane Calloway worked with Thompson all four years and recognized his efforts to do what was best for his students and community, even after he left Jemison High.

“When he left, he really had a love for Jemison,” Calloway said. “He was always one to help in any way that he possibly could. Our hearts are heavy over this loss. Our concern is for his family and their well-being at this point.”

Calloway and current Jemison High Principal Allen Wilson said Thompson continued to help the school after his resignation last summer.

“He was helpful to me in every way he could be,” Wilson said. “He had a great sense of humor and seemed to love life.”

Calloway noted his presence at JHS football games in the fall and said he had kept in touch with multiple faculty members.

Before becoming an educator, Thompson served in the Alabama National Guard, worked in U.S. Customs for six years and served three years in law enforcement for the City of Montgomery.

He attended Wallace Community College in Clanton before transferring to Auburn University in Montgomery, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in social sciences and master’s degree in education with an additional certification in educational leadership.

Thompson completed his educational specialist program at the University of Montevallo, and his administrative internship training led him to Verbena High School under the direction of Principal Larry Raines.

He taught history at Ingram State Technical College in Wetumpka for a year.

From 2000-2002, Thompson taught special education and coached basketball at Thompson High School in Alabaster.

He served as assistant principal for two years at Pelham High School before transitioning to the JHS principal position in 2008.

Thompson had three children, K.J., Cody and Ryan.