Harry Morton Thompson, Jr. (Wally) passed away peacefully at his home in Charlotte on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania on July 28, 1921, he was the son of the late Harry Morton Thompson and Elizabeth Kennedy Thompson.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Charlotte Kile Thompson; his parents; and his sister, Charlotte Miller of Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Mr. Thompson is survived by three children: son, Tom Thompson and wife Barbara; daughter, Cissy Thompson; and son, David Thompson; four grandchildren, Kile Stewart and husband Brent, Bo Thompson and wife Scottie, Bennett Thompson and wife Lauren, all of Charlotte, and Craig Thompson and wife Ellen of Raleigh; and six great-grandchildren, Janey and Hank Thompson, Charlotte and Max Stewart, and Drew and Mollie Thompson, all of Charlotte. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Dot Thompson and husband Neal of Aiken, SC; nieces, Millie Paton and husband Leslie of Canberra, Australia, and Susie Henry and husband George of Gastonia; two nephews, Jim Miller of Santa Cruz, California, and Bill Miller and wife Val of Denton, Maryland.
Mr. Thompson played football his freshman year at Penn State, but his education there was cut short by World War II. He resumed his study of engineering at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY and served in the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1943 until 1946, making several round the world tours of duty.
In 1953, he founded Sou-Tex Chemical Company in Mt. Holly, NC. Mr. Thompson served as president and general manager until the early 70's, when Sou-Tex was bought by American Hoechst Corporation. In partnership with Spartan Mills, Mr. Thompson then founded Catawba Chemicals Inc. in Charlotte. The name was changed to Catawba Charlab in 1975. Mr. Thompson remained as president and CEO of Catawba for 25 years. In 1998 he sold his shares to Chemische Fabrik Tuebingen, and at that time the company's name was changed to Cht R. Beitlich.
Mr. Thompson was an avid golfer and was a member of Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, NC.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening, Sept. 25th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Harry and Bryant Funeral Home, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. A graveside service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, Sept. 26th, at Hillcrest Gardens Memorial Park, 1508 Charles Raper Jonas Hwy, Mt. Holly, NC.
The family would like to express their love and appreciation to Mrs. Ann Hoyle, and to acknowledge her importance in the lives of their parents for over ten years. Ann made it possible for Mr. and Mrs. Thompson to remain at home throughout their illnesses.
The family also expresses heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Scott Furney of Carolinas Healthcare and to Katie Barton of Hospice & Palliative Care-Charlotte Region.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care-Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204, or a charity of your choice.
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