Obituary of Gerald O. Thompson

On Friday, July 8, Gerald Otis Thompson, age 82, expired. Born in Mexia, Texas to Susie Arbelia Johnson and Hardy Allen Thompson on July 15, 1922. Gerald entered the military at a very early age, and served in many areas including Alaska, Greece, the Panama Canal Zone, and throughout the United States. He retired from the Air Force after 25 years of service. He moved to Oak Ridge and took a job in the local bank, after which he entered the banking services and spent seven and one-half years as a bank examiner. During those years promotions steadily put him into the larger banks, but he preferred working in the Mer Rouge State Bank as a director, and a year later he opened up the Rayville Guaranty Bank becoming a director there. He later became Deputy Examiner for the State of Louisiana with all state chartered Savings and Loans under his jurisdiction. He moved to Baton Rouge where he and his wife lived for seven years, at which time he joined the Baton Rouge office of Pelican Homestead as District Manager, where he remained for another year before accepting a position with Commercial Savings and Loan of Baker. His health began to fail and they returned to Oak Ridge to live. He later assumed a position with People's Homestead in Monroe until it closed. Gerald was a 50 year member Mason, having served twice as the Master of Brookville Lodge. He was a charter member of Barak Shrine Temple and served in many areas there. He especially enjoyed driving the vans to carry sick and burned children to the hospitals. He and his wife traveled extensively after his retirement until his health forced him to do otherwise. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Johnny O. Thompson and his sister Mary Thompson Waso. Survivors include his wife of 53 years Frances Kennedy Thompson; his son, Jay Freeling Bellamy and wife Helen Jaubert Bellamy of Lafayette; brother, Allen T.Thompson of Monroe; his sister, Sue Thompson Simpson of Calhoun; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; six nieces and three great nephews. The family wishes to extend special "Thanks" to Dr. Kutnikar and staff, Dr. Keopke and staff and the doctors and nurses of SICU at St. Francis Hospital. Memorials may be made to the Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, Barak Shrine Temple or charity of choice. Services are 2 PM Monday at the Oak Ridge United Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Oak Ridge Baptist Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Dunand, Jim Rolfe, Jon Bellamy, Barry Barham, Tom Allen and Matthew Mc Connell.