James Melroy Thompson's Obituary
James Melroy Thompson died peacefully at his home on Lake Cherokee on Thursday, May 13, 2004. He was born on September 2, 1909 in Madison County, Georgia. His parents were Warren Hervin Thompson and Eula Estelle Key Thompson. Melroy enjoyed a wonderful youth growing up in rural Georgia and Texarkana, Texas. He graduated from Texarkana High School and attended the University of Arkansas, but had to drop out during the depression to help his family. He had a number of jobs in his youth ranging from working in a broom factory to selling dry goods. He often shared his adventures with his family and friends. He felt fortunate to have lived through some incredibly momentous historical events and to have seen so many technological changes.
His greatest joy was his family. He married Ruth Ella Whitley on May 31, 1934 at the First Presbyterian Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. He and Ruth shared 52 wonderful years before her death in 1986. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Mel, Sue, and Allen. In all their life endeavors, they were partners and enjoyed owning Thompson?s clothing store in downtown Longview for many years. He was a warm and loving father, grandfather, and more recently, a great grandfather. He continually kept up with all his children and enjoyed their many visits to the lake. He had a great sense of humor and a loving heart.
In recent years, he treasured his life on Lake Cherokee and the wonderful friends who visited with him frequently and allowed him to maintain his independence. He looked forward to going to the Cherokee Club every Saturday and Sunday and was grateful to all his friends there.
He is survived by his three children. Mel and his wife Ruby live in England and have two children Zen wife Janet, son William and Mimei. Sue lives in Houston. Allen and his wife Dianne live in New Hampshire. They have three children: Chris of Dallas married to Jenny King, son Asher; Jennifer of Massachusetts married to Michael Campbell, daughters Emma and Lucy; and Lindsay of Dallas.
The family requests family flowers only and that memorial gifts may be made to the Building Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Longview or the Seacoast Cancer Center Cares Fund c/o Deborah H. Shelton, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital & Health Foundation, 789 Central Avenue, Dover, NH 03820.
The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home on Sunday, May 16, 2004 from 2 until 4 PM.
Graveside services will be held 11 AM, Monday, May 17, 2004, at Memory Park Cemetery with Rev. Jonathan Jehorek and Dr. W. D. O?Neal officiating, under direction of Rader Funeral Home. There will be a memorial service later in June at the First Presbyterian Church.
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