Roy E. Thompson, MSgt., USAF (Ret.), 81, of Circleville, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at Chillicothe VA Medical Center.
He was born Jan. 17, 1934, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to the late Carl R. Sr. and Martha J. (Evans) Thompson.
Roy was a flight engineer in the Air Force and retired after 21 years of proud service, which included the Vietnam era. He also retired from Brown Implement after 14 years in Ashville.
He was preceded in death by a son, Dale Nathan Thompson; grandson, Chad Stewart; brothers, Carl R. Thompson Jr., Arthur E. Thompson and David A. Thompson; and sister, Catherine Claycomb.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Shirley Ann (Smith); daughter, Jacqueline (Mike) Kelley of Circleville; son, Roy “Ed” Thompson Jr. of Tarlton; grandchildren, Katherine (Ethan) Gibson, Kevin (Ashley) Kelley and Jeremy Thompson; and several nieces and nephews. Roy was the very proud great-grandfather of Kaydence and Kellan Gibson and Landon, Grady and Annie Kelley. He is also survived by his best four-legged buddy, Whitney.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at the Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 W. Main St., Ashville. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2015, at the funeral home with Pastor John Michles officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roy’s name to any of the following would be appreciated: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or online at support.woundedwarriorproject.org; Alzheimer’s Association Central Ohio Chapter, 1379 Dublin Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43215 or online at alzheimerscentralohio.org; or VFW Post 3331, 1096 Tarlton Rd., Circleville, Ohio 43113.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
