George Thompson

George Franklin 'Porky' Thompson, 65 of Mansfield, died Sunday, January 14, 2007 at his home following an extended illness. George has now gone home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born March 21, 1941 in Mansfield to the late George F. and Marion Knightstep Prosser, and lived his entire life in the Mansfield and Bellville areas. He was retired after over thirty years as a self-employed semi-truck driver for the Steel Industry in Ohio. He faithfully attended the Cook Road Baptist Church with his family.

George, or 'Porky,' as his friends and family knew him, was a very talented, and giving man. He volunteered, along with his wife at the church nursery every Sunday morning during the Sunday school hour, and he could even be seen helping out in the church kitchen on any number of occasions, or grilling hotdogs or making popcorn for Awana activities. His morning and afternoon coffee time with the guys at Porky's Drive-In were especially memorable for him just talking over a cup of coffee. George knew so many good people, in fact never really met a stranger, and those same people helped fill his life with a lot of happiness. His Allis Chalmers WD45 tractor named 'Just Havin' Fun' was his prized possession which he pulled at the Antique Tractor Pulls in Mansfield and surrounding areas. Many a good friend was made through his associations through Buckeye Iron Tractor Pullers, of which he was a member. Of all the most important things in life to George, his quality time with family and friends was the most important. He found time for his family, even his little grandson Aydan was integral to the preparation of the tractor for Pulls. Having his grandson Aydan spend the night and going to church on Sunday gave George much to be thankful.

Surviving is his wife of seventeen years, Linda Higgins Thompson of Mansfield; a son and daughter-in-law, George O. Michelle Thompson of Ashland; his daughter Stephanie D. Thompson of Mansfield; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Tom Sharon Welty and Tim Welty, all of Mansfield; three grandchildren, Aydan J. 'AJ' Johnson of Mansfield, and Alexis and Ashley Thompson of Ashland; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen and Dennis Erickson of Wickliffe, Ohio; a niece, Donita Welty Beecham of Mansfield; one nephew, Shaun Welty of Butler; a nephew-in-law, Matthew Erickson of Wickliffe, Ohio; two great nieces, Kayla Cochran and Brooke Welty, both of Mansfield; one great nephew, Cody Cochran of Mansfield; and a host of dear and close friends. Preceding George in death are his parents, and his grandparents, Oscar and Iva Thompson.

Friends may call at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors on Tuesday, January 16, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A memorial and celebration of life service will take place at Cook Road Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Jack Hackworth on Wednesday, January 17 at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made in care of the family, or the Cook Road Baptist Church Awana Club.