November 10, 1959 — May 13, 2026
Flem Tyson Compton, age 66, passed away on May 13, 2026, at Community Hospice Care in Ashland, KY.
Born November 10, 1959 to Ned and Aileen Compton of Louisa, KY, he was raised in Louisa with his sister Nedra and brother Tawn.
Graduating from Louisa HS in 1977, Tyson attended classes at the University of Kentucky and later UCLA. From 1983 to 1993 Tyson followed his dream to live and work in Los Angeles, CA where he was employed by California Magazine, and later named as editor of Where-Los Angeles Magazine. Tyson returned to Ashland, KY where he was the Marketing Director for the Paramount Arts Center from 1994 to 2009. Having often visited the theater as a child, this cemented his lifelong love for the Paramount.
Tyson served as President and CEO of the Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau from 2009 to 2026. On April 22nd, 2026, Huntington Mayor Patrick Farrell declared this date to be ‘Tyson Compton Day’, thanking him for providing visionary leadership and dedication to promoting the Huntington community.
During his tourism career Tyson earned numerous honors, including a Telly Award, professional certification in travel marketing and multiple WV Tourism awards; including the prestigious 2022 Stars of Almost Heaven Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to his parents, Tyson was preceeded in death by grandparents Flem & Elizabeth Daniels, and Dave & Laura Compton. He is survived by his loving sister Nedra (Jim) Fennell; brother Tawn Compton; nephews Joshua (Rachel) Compton, Jansen (Megan) Fennell and Sayre Compton. He is also survived by great-nieces Anna & Nara Compton and Raegan & Addison Fennell; his beloved cat ‘Charlie Girl’; along with aunts, cousins and a host of tremendous friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 30th at 1:00 p.m. at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, KY to honor and memorialize his exceptional life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tyson’s memory to Heritage Farm, 300 Harvey Rd. Huntington, WV 25704; The Paramount Players, P.O. Box 1546 Ashland, KY 41105; or the Lawrence County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1331, Louisa, KY 41230 (In honor of his ‘Charlie Girl’).
Online online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhome.com
