Emmette Gray Thompson Jr.

God called to His Heavenly Home, Emmette Gray Thompson Jr. on Friday, February 18, 2011 at Magnolia Gardens. He was born on January 28, 1915 in Salisbury, NC; and was the son of the late Emmette Gray Thompson Sr. and Gertrude Wise Thompson. He was married to Anne Howard Thompson and they were the parents of Judy Anne Thompson and Emmette Gray Thompson III. Emmette grew up in Salisbury and graduated from Boyden High School. He was a life long resident of Salisbury and it was the place he indeed loved. He worked at Martin Industries in Baltimore, MD during World War II and returned to Salisbury afterwards. Emmette worked at Wallace Motor Co. as a service manager with other family members until his retirement in 1978. Emmette was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the James L. Fisher Sunday School Class. He at one time went 70 years with perfect Sunday School attendance. He was also very involved and helped lead the Boy Scout Troop at St. John’s for several years. Emmette was preceded in death by his parents and his dear wife Anne who died in 1970; and two sisters Nancy (Sug) Wallace and Frances Krider. Those left to cherish his memory include daughter Judy Thompson Moore of Salisbury, NC; son Emmette Gray Thompson III and his wife Valarie of Knoxville, TN; grandson Gray Montgomery Thompson who attends The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO and granddaughter Mandy Lee Thompson who attends Belmont University in Nashville, TN; and a sister Gertrude Ellis who resides at the Lutheran Home in Salisbury, NC. Emmette had a big heart and helped many others. He also had a hearty laugh and cheerful smile and enjoyed life and his friends. A Celebration Service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Wednesday at 11AM (Feb. 23) with receiving of friends from 10-11AM Wednesday; burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 West Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144; or to Mission of Hope, P.O. Box 51824, Knoxville, TN 37950. The Thompson Family would like to sincerely thank all of those who have assisted and cared for Emmette at the Arbor Terrace in Knoxville, TN; the Lutheran Home; and especially at Magnolia Gardens who lovingly cared for him so compassionately. He made friends easily there with the staff, who in turn grew to appreciate his kind sprit. We are also extremely grateful for longtime family friends and relatives, who loved Emmette and helped care for him over the years. Summersett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com

Emmette Gray Thompson Jr.

January 28, 1915 - February 18, 2011