Alvin Al Bruce Thompson

Alvin B. Thompson, age 87, of South Knoxville, departed from this Earth to his Heavenly home on Monday, March 23, 2015. He was a member of Church Street United Methodist Church and served in the United States Navy during World War II. Alvin was President of the Tennessee Board of Surveyors. He also surveyed for Wood Properties, South Knoxville. He was an engineer with the State of Tennessee Department of Transportation. He was a member of South Knoxville Lodge Masonic Order. He was the drummer in the Prospector’s Band for 25 years. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Coy Lee and Willie Mae Thompson; sisters, Iva Kinslow and Francis Bowerman; and brother, Jimmy and wife Helen Thompson. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Cynthia Jones Thompson; daughter, Terri Lane; daughter Deborah Sims-Gregory (Scott), son, Richard Reed Sterchi (Kristy); son, Ron Earley; Pappy’s grandchildren: Tiffany Sims, Kristopher and Kayley Sims; Brooke and Lindsay Sterchi; Lauren Marie Earley; great-grandchildren: Bentley Merritt, Stella Sims, and Sylar Jones Hillis; brother, Pete Thompson (Irene), and sister, Doris Ramey. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Church Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1303, Knoxville, TN 37901 or Young-Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919. Friends may call at their convenience on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway. Family and friends will meet at Woodlawn Cemetery on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 3:30 PM for graveside service, Rev. Cabel Trent officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. Arrangements by Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com