Robert Anthony Thompson

Our precious Lord called Robert Anthony Thompson, age 83, home on April 16, 2026. He passed away at home surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will be held on April 23, 2026, at Calvary Church in Fruitport, Michigan at 1:00 PM. Private interment will be at Centuries Memorial Park Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana at a later date.

Robert was the son of Fred and Mellie Thompson of Shreveport, Louisiana. Robert and his twin sister, Barbara, were born on August 28, 1942. Robert graduated from Byrd High School, in Shreveport, Louisiana. While in high school, he, his older brother and two sisters had a band and dance troop, often performing at local events. After graduation, he attended Louisiana Tech University to pursue a degree in music. However, soon life and choices changed his career path. Robert graduated from Northwest Louisiana Vocational Technical School in Shreveport, Louisiana with multiple certifications in instrumentation technology. This career resulted in him working in a variety of factories and plants across the United States. These included gas/oil refineries, manufacturing plants and nuclear reactors.

Robert married Frances Hightower of Homer, Louisiana in 1965 and had four children. They settled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Robert’s lifelong passion for music was passed on to them all. He played the alto and tenor saxophones and enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music ranging from Herb Alpert, the Three Tenors, Nat King Cole, to Merle Haggard; yet his favorite song was the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” He had a beautiful tenor voice, with which he led their church choir for many years. Although his career was based in Baton Rouge he travelled across the United States during jobs. His family made a point to spend summers with him wherever he was working, instilling in them a love and respect for our country by visiting the local museums and points of interest.

When this marriage concluded, he then settled with his second wife, the late Barbara L. Thompson, in California and later in Michigan. There he loved the spring and summer months, but the winters were a challenge for him. He often said his southern blood was “too thin for all the snow.” He thereafter enjoyed cross-country travel to visit friends and family. During this time span, he was proudly inducted into his local Elks Lodge and held different offices while servicing his community through charitable events.

Robert later met and married Cathy Berry and made their home in the Norton Shores area of Michigan. He welcomed her three children and her extended family as his own. Her faith and influence encouraged him to have a closer relationship with God. Cathy’s love and support were unwavering during both the happiest of times in their marriage as well as through the many health crises he faced. Their life together was based on a home filled with happiness and laughter.

Pops, as he was later called in life, also had a passion for food and cooking. Being reared in the south, he was partial to well-seasoned dishes that he loved to share with family and friends. Pops collected and read cookbooks as others would read novels. He always looked forward to family gatherings especially holidays and the monthly Bible Study evenings with his church family often planning the menu well in advance. He loved to eat and was fond of “kissing the cook.” Pops never met a stranger and loved to banter and tell jokes. You were certain he liked you if he would tease you or gave you a nickname. He gave the biggest and best “bear hugs” of all. Other pastimes included riding his Harley-Davidson, gun collecting, and becoming an aficionado of fine wines. He and Cathy enjoyed selecting beautiful fabrics and designing one-of-a kind quilts for family members, to be treasured by all receiving them.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, twin sister, Barbara Thompson Spong Baker, and sister, Joan Thompson Hunt. Robert is survived by his wife, Cathy Berry Thompson, brother, John R. Thompson (Janice), children: Kaylon Thompson French, David Thompson (Paula), Camille Thompson Wise, and Nathan Thompson (Debbie); stepson Rick Edwards (fiancée, Amber) stepdaughters Michelle Taylor and Monica Anderson (Tim), numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, their families, and a host of very dear friends.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the many providers and nurses of both Trinity Medical Center and Corewell Medical Center in Muskegon, Michigan for their compassionate care and support during this difficult time.

Robert’s life was “a living, lasting memory our grateful hearts will treasure.” (From “Life Well Lived,” author unknown). His was a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making memorial donations to Calvary Church in Fruitport, Michigan.