Solomon Thompson

Solomon Thompson, the eldest son of the late Solomon Thompson and Rose Lipscomb Thompson, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 20, 1927. On November 14, 2015, he departed this life peacefully. He was preceded in death by his brother Clarence and two sisters Elizabeth and Rosemary.

All who knew Solomon and anyone lucky enough to be invited to his home knew that he loved life, he loved his family, and he loved his home---especially his swimming pool where he delighted in teaching his children to swim. Affectionately known as "Benny" to family and friends, Solomon grew up in North Philadelphia and was educated in the Philadelphia school system. After graduation from Benjamin Franklin High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and embarked on a 25 year career with the Air Force Security Service.

In 1952, while stationed at Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall, in Suffolk, England, Benny met Frances Lockley, a beautiful U.S. Air Force flight nurse from Gloucester, Virginia who was also stationed in England. Benny and Frances were married on October 17, 1953 in New Market, England and returned to the United States in 1955 where they both were stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Four years later, after Frances decided to leave the military, Benny's first son, Kevin Scott, was born at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on September 8, 1959. In 1960, Karen Lynn joined the family at the age of 10. After moving to San Antonio, Texas where Benny was assigned to Kelly Air Force Base, he and Frances had their second child, Edith Aurelia who was born on May 6, 1964. During the family's subsequent assignment to Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, 1966-1969, Benny and Frances had their last child, Mark Alan, who was born on September 28, 1967. While in the Philippines, Benny enjoyed one of his life-long passions – swimming and diving, and became the president of his SCUBA diving club. In 1969, the family again returned to San Antonio where Benny served a final tour of duty at Kelly Air Force Base.

After his retirement in 1972 as a Chief Master Sergeant --- the highest enlisted rank in the U.S Air Force, San Antonio became the final family homestead. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Benny began a highly successful second career as a loan officer for San Antonio Federal Credit Union (SACU), where he rose to the position of chief loan officer before his retirement in 1991. After his final retirement, Benny continued to enjoy the pleasures of family life. He visited a summer home in Gloucester, Virginia several times a year and took great joy in visiting his grandchildren wherever they were located – Colorado Springs, Kansas, Germany, Las Vegas, Oklahoma, or San Antonio. Benny also loved music and dancing and his dance routines at family gatherings are among the family's (especially his grandchildren's) most cherished memories of him.

After Frances' passing in 2005, Benny subsequently married Carolyn Newsome of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who lovingly cared for him until his passing. Prior to his death, he and Carolyn traveled extensively in the U.S and abroad and Benny kept himself busy with one of his other passions – taking meticulous care of his lawn. Benny leaves behind to mourn his passing his devoted wife Carolyn; his four children: Karen Jarrett (Dwight) of Severn, MD; Kevin Thompson (Maria) of San Antonio TX; Edith Todd (Lenny) of San Antonio, TX, and Mark Thompson (Erickia) of Las Vegas, NV; his six grandchildren: DeLain Best, Kawan Best, Jonathan Thompson, Bridget Thompson, Erin Thompson, and Elizabeth Thompson; his great grandson: Dhaleem Best ; his three sisters-in-law: Helen Lockley, Ruth Cooper, and Margaret Morris; his brother-in-law: Otha Newsome; his nieces: JoAnn Edlow, Debra Scott, Denise Moore, and Cheryl Yates; his nephews : Rodney Lockley and Michael Thompson; and a host of friends. We will all miss him dearly.

MASS OF RESURRECTION

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 18, 2015

10:00 A.M.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH

4222 S.WEST LOOP 410

Inurnment with Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.