George C. Thompson's Obituary
Funeral services for U.S. Army Ret. Major George Carol Thompson, 88, of Leesville will be held Monday, July 18, 2016, at 12 pm at First Baptist Church in Leesville. Burial will follow in the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 17th, from 5 pm until 8 pm at the church.
George Carol Thompson departed this world on July 13, 2016. He was an Army veteran of 3 wars – WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and was a recipient of the Bronze Star. He retired after 23 years with the rank of Major and subsequently embarked on a 30-year distinguished career as an educator and principal in the Vernon Parish School System after deciding to make Leesville/Ft. Polk his home.
George Carol Thompson was born in the parsonage of First Baptist Church, Vincentown, New Jersey on October 12, 1927. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary DeWitt Thompson, and three children: George Samuel Thompson and wife Lisa of Baton Rouge, LA; Debra Jean Thomas and husband Brian of Houston, TX; and Steven Craig Thompson and wife Frances of Louisville, CO. He is also survived by five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren: Phil Howard and Benjamin Collins Thomas of Houston, TX; George Charles and Sarah Marie Thompson of Baton Rouge; and Stefany Annaliese Thompson, Bridger Thomas Ellwein, and Anabelle Helena Ellwein of Louisville, CO. He is also survived by a brother, Harry William Thompson, of Vincentown, NJ.
On October 12, 1945, George volunteered for Army service and was deployed to Germany for the remainder of WWII. Upon returning stateside, he met Mary DeWitt on a hayride and began a 6-year courtship that resulted in marriage. Three weeks after their wedding on June 6, 1953, he was deployed to Korea for 16 months. Their first son, George, was born in Nürnberg, Germany, 1955. Daughter Debra was born in Columbus, GA, 1959. Their second son, Steven, was born in Tacoma, WA, 1960. After a 4-year assignment in Butzbach, Germany, the family arrived in Leesville/FT. Polk in 1965. In 1966, Maj. George C Thompson was deployed to Vietnam for another 16-month assignment. He retired from military service in January 1970 and embarked on a distinguished education career.
George was a prominent member in the Leesville/Ft. Polk community and served as President of Leesville Rotary Club, Retired Officers Association, and Retired Teachers Association. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church of Leesville, LA where he also served in the television ministry. George was the first principal of North Polk Elementary School where he served until his retirement in 2000.
George Carol Thompson was a Christian, patriot, veteran, devoted husband, beloved father, and fun-loving grandfather. His life was dedicated to service to God, family, and community.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Baptist Church, Leesville, LA in honor of his memory.
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