Lawmakers honor MDOT’s King on retirement

Photo: Southern District Transportation Commissioner Tom King with family and House Speaker Philip Gunn on Tuesday, March 14. (MDOT photo)

The Mississippi Legislature honored Southern District Transportation Commissioner Tom King by presenting him with Senate Concurrent Resolution 505 on Tuesday, March 14. Presented in the House of Representatives, the resolution commends King for his distinguished public service as a Southern District Transportation Commissioner, former State Senator, former Mississippi Representative and Vietnam Veteran on the occasion of his retirement.

King announced he would not seek reelection in November 2022. He is currently in his third term and serves as Chair of the Mississippi Transportation Commission. He will fulfill the remainder of his term and retire effective Dec. 31, 2023.

“I am greatly honored to be recognized by the Mississippi Legislature in the State Capitol where I served for many years,” said King. “At the end of my career as a statesman, I was especially proud to share this honor at the Capitol with my family in attendance. They have been my inspiration to serve the public faithfully and always do the right thing.”

The resolution states, “Commissioner King’s service has been marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgement and fairness. He has set the highest standard in each of his many roles, as a father, husband, businessman, officer, citizen, statesman and leader in the Mississippi Legislature and as a friend.”

Prior to his tenure as Southern District Transportation Commissioner, King served as a state lawmaker for nearly 20 years. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1993, and in 2000, he began his tenure in the Senate. King is a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served his country in the Air Force as an Air Policeman.

He lives in Hattiesburg with his wife, the former Susan Lynn Patterson, and has two children and two grandchildren.