Charles David Thompson Jr.

Funeral services for retired Major Charles D. Thompson, Jr., 84, will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA with Rev. Stan Wyant officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 16, 2016 He passed gently on Saturday, August 13 with his grandson, Andrew, by his side at the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home. Born on September 26, 1931 in Lawrence, MS, Charlie (as he was affectionately known) was the first born son of Charlie and Kate Elvira. His mischievous streak and sense of humor he displayed as a child never left him as he aged; just ask his beloved siblings who endured years of endless pranks and arrows growing up on a farm in Richland Parish! After graduating from NLU with his Bachelor of Education Degree, he enlisted in the Army, married his soulmate, started a family and traveled extensively in the US, Europe and Asia while serving in both Vietnam and Korea. Retiring from his military police career after 21 years, he returned home to Monroe and joined the OPSD. He later received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice while pursuing his PhD. He was known by all to be a proud and dedicated family man, a 32nd Degree Mason, an ardent ULM Warhawk volunteer and a Southern Baptist Deacon, but most importantly, he was our “Papaw.” His dedication to his loving wife and family, his church, his country and his community was admirable and appreciated. Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by Bonnie Thompson (his wife of 59 years), Charles and Kate Thompson, Sr. (his parents) and Elizabeth Thompson (his granddaughter). Local survivors include: two daughters, Linda Cunningham and Brenda Owens (Pat Ellington); four grandchildren, Bryan Gibbs (Laura), Melanie Woodall (Cody), Andrew Owens and Catherine Owens; and four great-grandchildren including Emilie and Elyssa Gibbs, and Khloe and newborn Brody Woodall. He is also survived by two brothers, Thomas Thompson (Barbara) from MN and Ronald Thompson (Susan) from Baton Rouge, LA and one sister, Juanita Hendrix (Shorty) from Pembroke, KY. Pallbearers will be Ray Thompson, Andrew Owens, Tim Guraedy, Cody Woodall, Jaimie Autin and Kennith Morehead. The family would also like to acknowledge what an exceptional caregiving job Sharon Christine Smith did, and thank the staff at Louisiana Hospice & Palliative Care and the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to College Place Baptist Church, Monroe, LA.Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA