Born in Piedmont, SC, Francis moved to Mauldin after marrying Nell Adams in 1954 and were married for 66 years. He was in the US Army from 1950-1952 and served in the Korean War with the 453rd Combat Engineer Battalion. He attended Brevard College and Clemson University, playing football for Coach Frank Howard. He was a 66-year member of Empire Lodge No. 213 AFM and Empire Chapter No. 251 OES. Francis was a Customer Service Engineer for Business Machines, the forerunner of our present technology. He taught 5th and 6th grade students in Sunday School for 60 years. He was a volunteer for multiple organizations, Habitat for Humanity, Gideons, Red Cross, Disabled American Veterans, Mauldin First Baptist Church, Foothills Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, Masons and Eastern Star, Greenville Baptist Association, and others.
Francis was preceded in death by his son, Phillip Earl Thompson, and his brother, Charles Roy Thompson.
He is survived by his wife Nell Adams Thompson; sons, David (Carol) and Terry Thompson; sister-in-law, Aumenta Thompson; grandson, Joshua (Wendi); granddaughter, Kristen; great granddaughter, Pepper; great grandson, Brooks; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.
Mr. Thompson will lie in state at First Baptist Church, Mauldin, from 11:30 am until 12:45pm, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 with a memorial service following at 1:00 pm. There will be a livestream of this service for those unable to attend. There will be a brief graveside service on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 10:00 am, at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Korean War Veterans Association Foothills Chapter 301, c/o Treasurer, 150 Middleton Park Lane, Moore, SC 29369.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.MackeyCenturyDrive.com
