July 5, 2021, 86, Mount Olive –
Mount Olive resident A. Ray Thompson, 86, died Monday evening, July 5, 2021, while being cared for by Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Mr. Thompson had a long career in plumbing, heating and air conditioning, first with Hasty’s Plumbing and Heating, then with Jackson and Sons, Inc., where he retired. He then joined Wayne County Sheriff’s Office as a bailiff.
Mr. Thompson had been a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Mount Olive and in recent years his membership was transferred to the Eureka Christian Church in the Grantham community.
Serving his community and fellow man was a priority for Mr. Thompson. He was a long-time volunteer with Mount Olive Rescue Squad. His leadership led the way for other men and women to continue his love of service through all the many rescue training programs and education courses through the community colleges in the state. His heavy rescue teams won many state titles. They also made trips to international competitions, as far as Canada. He has received many local and state awards over the years, his most recent being a lifelong member of the NC Rescue Association.
Not only did he serve in the rescue arena, but he was also a member of the Mount Olive Lion’s Club. Furthermore, he served the city of Mount Olive as commissioner and became mayor Pro Tempore. His exemplary service record culminated in the awarding of the Ruff Huggins Community Service Award.
mr. Thompson was an avid fisherman, which is also worth mentioning. Many happy moments and smiles were brought forth because of great anticipation of what a firm tug on the fishing line might cause.
The Thompson family will be visited at the Tyndall Funeral Home on Friday, July 9 from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 4 p.m. at Eureka Christian Church, followed by interment at Thornton Family Cemetery in Sampson County. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are requested to be donated to Eureka Christian Church, 2036 Dobbersville Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365, or to Mount Olive Lion’s Club, c/o Mack Jones, 123 Jurney Street, Mount Olive, NC 28365.
Mr. Thompson is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Kathy Thompson Davis and Gary Davis of Stantonsburg, and Joy Thompson Vinson and Doug Vinson of Goldsboro; grandchildren, Jordan Davis Webb and husband, Robbie, of Saratoga, Sarah Davis Murphy and husband, Michael, of Montgomery, Ala., Liza Davis of Rolesville, Chelsey Gray Collins and husband, Will, of Fremont, and Nathan Kyle Vinson and wife, Emilee, of Wallace; great-grandchildren, Blake Allen Webb, Jack Gray Collins, Joah Harker Collins, Connor Paige Murphy, and Arlee Mae Vinson; many nieces, nephews and nieces, and last but not least, a special friend and neighbor for 65 years, Anne C. Dewar of Mount Olive.
Loved ones who predated him in death include his wife, Agnes Gray Jordan Thompson; his parents, David Edward Thompson and Ethel Game Thompson, and as the last survivor of a family of eleven, his late siblings are Blaney Thompson, Milford Thompson, Estelle Holloman, Lassie Tew, Charles Thompson, Wilbert Thompson, James Thompson, Margie Schaff Cassie Schaff and Ethel Mae Gainey.
A Tyndall service
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