Arthur “Russell” Thompson, 88, of Morganton passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends after a short illness on April 28, 2014.
Russell was born October 9, 1925 to the late Arthur and Mossie Edwards Thompson in Polk County, N.C. He attended Brevard College and Duke University and worked 43 years as an engineer for the N.C. Department of Transportation. He married his wife, the late Marion Shields Thompson in 1946 and they built a life in Marion, N.C.
Russell will be remembered most for his devotion to his family and the causes important to him. Russell took pride in his country and was a WWII Veteran; he served as a member of the Marine 6th Striker Division in Okinawa Japan and often participated in the annual Glen Alpine Fourth of July parade. Russell enjoyed Christian fellowship at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church and was a life member of the Masonic Mystic Lodge #237 in Marion.
In addition to his parents and spouse, an infant daughter, Sara Helen Thompson, preceded him in death.
Russell is survived by his sons Russell “Wade” Thompson and his wife Joy of Williamsburg, Virginia; and Mark Thompson and his wife Judy of Morganton, N.C.; Grandchildren include Nicole Thompson O’Keefe, her husband Ken and their sons Danny and Ryan of Aldie, Va. ; Jennifer Thompson and her sons Braeden and Carter of Morganton N.C.; and Brian Thompson, his wife Natalie and their daughter, Maggie-Claire, of Morganton N.C. He is survived by his loyal canine companion, Lucky. Faithful caregivers to Russell included Mildred Sheets, Linda Brown, Crystal Gillian and Sheree Blankenship, to whom the family is deeply grateful.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2014 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel with Rev. David Duncan officiating.
Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, N.C. with Military Rites by the Polk County Memorial Squad.
The family will receive friends from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Friday just prior to the service in the McFarland Funeral Chapel.
The Thompson family would like to thank the Burke Hospice and Palliative Care nurses for all of their compassionate care and kind words.
Memorials may be made to the Valdese Hospice, Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, N.C. 28690 or to Glen Alpine Methodist Church, 410 Linville Street, Glen Alpine, N.C. 28628.
An Online guest register can be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com
– McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.