Joe Dixon Thompson

Joe D. Thompson, age 87, of Winona, passed away Monday, January 27, 2014 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. Joe was born on September 6, 1926 in Starrville, Texas to the late Reamus Aikens and Willie Mae Thompson. J.D. proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII where he was aboard the USS Intrepid. He and Nell Eva Lilley married on December 16, 1950 in Livingston, Texas and together they spent the next 16 years raising a family and creating a lifetime of memories until her passing on August 7, 1966.

J.D. worked as a mechanic and truck driver and owned several businesses throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 40 years and was proud to be a veteran. J.D. worked hard to provide for his five children that he raised alone for the majority of their lives. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who was greatly respected and loved by all.

J.D. is survived by his two sons, Joe Dixon Thompson, Jr., and wife Cathy, of Houston and Gregory Thompson, and wife Terry, of Winona; his three daughters, Melanie Jamison, and husband John, of Austin, Cherri Thompson of Austin, and Terri Lilley of Virginia Beach, Virginia; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; brothers, Robin Thompson of Moscow, Texas and Ector Thompson of Livingston, Texas; and by many other relatives and friends.

J.D. is also preceded in death by his only sister, Lillian Funderburgh.

Services for Joe D. Thompson will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler. Burial will follow at Cook Walden Capital Parks in Pflugerville, TX with grandchildren Matthew Howell, Jonathan Jamison, Jordan Jamison, Christine Maresh, Kelli Parish, Ben Thompson, Dane Thompson, and Lane Thompson serving as pallbearers.

Military honors will be provided by the men and women of the United States Navy.