Joseph Thompson, Jr.

Joseph "Joe" Thompson, Jr., 75, of Mansfield, died Monday, July 19, 2010 at his home. Born May 29, 1935 in Madison Township, he was the son of Joseph Harry and Josephine Fike Thompson. He had worked at F.W. Dill Welding, Joe's Welding and Garage, Ken Heisler International Truck, and Truck Sales and Service. Joe was a life member of the Ohio Genealogical Society. He loved to build, drive and own cars. He raced cars for 25 years. From 1980 to 1992, Joe was the race director and promoter for Fremont Speedway. He was the vice president and president of Northern Ohio Stock Car Owners and Drivers Association. He was involved with Moss Racing Al-Stars and World at Outlaws Racing. Joe raced at Original Mansfield, Ashland Fair, Mt. Vernon, Original Attica, Fremont Speedway, Findley, K.C., Wayne County, Lorain Speedway, Sandusky, Lima, Holmes Hilltop, McCutchenville, Lakeville, and Parkersburg, West Virginia. He did track prep at Attica Speedway. While at Fremont, Joe and Shirley started Enduro Class of racing. They were called the "King and Queen of Enduro. Along with that, he collected international tractors, which he restored. He belonged to SCRAP, Miami Valley Steam Threshers, FARM, Ashland County Yesteryear, Buckeye Iron Will, Tri-State Gas and Engine, and Vintage Garden Tractors. The past 15 years, he was in charge of a reunion for race drivers and owners held every October. Joe built over 600 car haulers, and put cages in race cars for numerous drivers. He built his wife Shirley a copy of a Model T. His friends called him "The Welder Man".

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley, "Mrs. Joe" Thompson of Mansfield, whom he married on November 27, 1954; adoptive children and grandchildren of the drivers he met and raced with over the years; six brothers and sisters-in-law, Eugene and Louise Thompson, Marvin and Hazel Thompson, Richard and Geraldine Thompson, Ronald and Linda Thompson, David Thompson, and Douglas and Darlene Thompson, all of Mansfield; two sisters and brother-in-law, Geraldine Stiltner, and Carol Ann and Richard Sharder, all of Mansfield; numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Ronald and Carol Gieseman of Mansfield, two sisters-in-law, Joan Cameron of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Peggy Gieseman of Maryland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas and Cora Shephard Thompson, and Thomas and Pearl Smith Fike; two brothers, Gerald and Donald Thompson; sister, Pearl Thompson; and one infant sister. Also surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Cheryl Thompson; grandchildren, Vickie and Brad; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Bunker Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, take loved one to a race or tractor show.