Henry Arendell Thompson

Henry Arendell ThompsonSylacauga, AL – Celebration of Life service for Henry Arendell Thompson, 94, will be Monday, February 4, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Sylacauga with Rev. Lewis Archer officiating.  Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, AL.Mr. Thompson passed away at his home in Sylacauga on Saturday, February 2, 2013. "Hank" will always be remembered for his protective love of family and friends and his loving, caring nature.He was born on September 12, 1918 in Birmingham, AL, to Mary Jane Arendell and John Burford Thompson.  After graduating from Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, where he played football, he attended Georgia Tech University.  He married Elizabeth Burke in February 1943, and remained devoted to her until his death.  They were looking forward to celebrating their 70th anniversary at the end of this month.He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Pacific theatre.  After being injured in a non-combat accident in 1945, he returned home.  Always an avid sports fan, Hank enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and all activities with his children's sports.  He was president of the Sylacauga High School Athletic Booster Club and was a Master Mason and Shriner.He was preceded in death by his parents, John Burford and Mary Jane Thompson; brothers, John Burford Thompson, Jr., Frank Thompson and Fred Thompson; sister Grace Williford.He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Burke Thompson; daughters, Carole Bailey, husband Jim, of Sylacauga and Jane McLain, husband Mike, of Atlanta; son, Henry Arendell Thompson Jr., wife Carol, of Atlanta; sister, Katherine T. Clark of Billings, MT; sister-in-law, Mary Thompson of Nashville, TN; grandsons, Andrew McLain, wife Katie, of Helena, MT, Matthew McLain, wife Ashley, of Baltimore, MD and John Patrick Bailey of Sylacauga; granddaughter, Jordan Padgett, husband Jason, of Nashville, TN; great-granddaughters, Lindsey Karen McLain of Helena, MT, Emily Jane McLain of Baltimore, MD and Taylor Elizabeth Padgett of Nashville, TN; great-grandsons, Ryan Burke McLain of Baltimore, MD and Austin McLain Padgett of Nashville, TN; step-grandson, Eric O'Laughlin of Boston, MA; step-granddaughter, Leslie Wander, husband Jeremiah, of Seattle, WA; devoted caregivers, Addie Heard, FaShandra Evans, Mary Marie McElrath and Connie McElrath; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the B.B. Comer Memorial Library or to First United Methodist Church of Sylacauga.Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com.Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.