Ernest G. Thompson Sr.

Ernest Gene Thompson Sr., 82, of Clinton, went peacefully to be with his Lord at his home on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ernest was born on April 19, 1929, in Rossville, Ga. On May 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to Ruby Butler Thompson in Rising Fawn, Ga. They were married for nearly 62 years and together had two children, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Ernest served in the U.S. Army for two years after which he continued working as a brick mason in Georgia and Louisiana for more than 50 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, who were all of Chattanooga, Tenn. He is survived by his wife, Ruby; sister, Sue Darnell, of Chattanooga; two children, Dr. Ernest Gene Thompson, of Clinton, and Reba Kay Thompson Swearingen, of Watson; five grandchildren, Storm and wife Kim Lantrip Sr., of Clinton, Stehl Thompson, of Baton Rouge, Aimee and husband Tom Broom, of Logan, N.M., John and wife Meghan Swearingen currently in the U.S. Army, Kristi and husband Brian O'Brian, of Hereford, Ariz.; nine great-grandchildren and extended family and friends. Ernest was a loving husband, caring father, and model grandfather who will be dearly missed. Visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, on Thursday, Jan. 26, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation resumes in the funeral home chapel Friday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Glen Taylor of Temple Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, and assisted by the Rev. Sheldon Swearingen. Pallbearers will be Storm Lantrip Sr., Glen Taylor Jr., Russell Butler Jr., Phillip LeGlue, Darryl Pourciau and Larry Varnado. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name for Temple Baptist Church Children's Ministries, 3650 O'Neil Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.