July 5, 2021, 86, Mount Olive –

A. Ray Thompson, 86, Mount Olive resident, passed away Monday evening, July 5, 2021, while in the care of Kitty Askins Hospice Center.

Mr. Thompson enjoyed a long career in plumbing, heating, and air conditioning, first in the employ of Hasty’s Plumbing and Heating, and then with Jackson and Sons, Inc. from which he retired. He, then, became employed with Wayne County Sheriff’s Office as a courtroom baliff.

Mr. Thompson had been a long-time member of the First Christian Church of Mount Olive, and in recent years, his membership was transferred to Eureka Christian Church in the Grantham community.

Serving his community and fellowman was a priority to Mr. Thompson. He had been a long-time volunteer with Mount Olive Rescue Squad. His leadership led the way for other men and women to carry on his love for service through all the many rescue training programs and teaching courses through the community colleges across the state. His heavy-duty rescue teams won many state titles. They also made trips to international competitions, taking them as far away as Canada. He received many local and state awards through the years, his most recent being made a lifetime member of N.C. Rescue Association.

Not only did he serve in the rescue service arena, but he also was a member of Mount Olive Lion’s Club. Furthermore, he served the Town of Mount Olive as a commissioner and was named Mayor Pro Tempore. His exemplary record of community service culminated with his being presented the Ruff Huggins Community Service Award.

Mr. Thompson was an avid fisherman, it is also worthy to note. Many happy moments and smiles were brought forth because of great anticipation of what might be causing a firm tug on the fishing line.

The Thompson family will have visitation at Tyndall Funeral Home on Friday, July 9, from 6 until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 10, at 4 p.m. at Eureka Christian Church with burial following in the Thornton Family Cemetery in Sampson County. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be made 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 Grey Collins and husband, Will, of Fremont, and Nathan Kyle Vinson and wife, Emilee, of Wallace; great-grandchildren, Blake Allen Webb, Jack Grey Collins, Joah Harker Collins, Connor Paige Murphy, and Arlee Mae Vinson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and last but not least, a special friend and neighbor for 65 years, Anne C. Dewar of Mount Olive.

Loved ones preceding him in death include his wife, Agnes Grey Jordan Thompson; his parents, David Edward Thompson and Ethel Game Thompson, and being the last survivor of a family of eleven, his deceased 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