Dr. Walter Lee Thompson

Dr. Walter Lee Thompson, 85, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2013 at Craighead County Nursing Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas, after battling a long illness. He was born January 24, 1928 in Honea Path, South Carolina. After graduating Valedictorian from Honea Path High School, he joined the US Navy at the end of World War II. There he served honorably as an electronics technician on the USS Wisconsin battleship. Upon completion of his duty with the Navy, he enrolled at Clemson University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in chemistry. He then went on to complete a PhD in organic chemistry at Cornell University in New York. While there he taught chemistry for three years. After graduation, Dr. Thompson served as a senior research chemist for the DuPont Company in Kinston, North Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Camden, South Carolina.

He was a very active member of various Baptist churches and taught Sunday school classes for more than 25 years. He also served as a deacon and sat on many different committees.

One of his passions was flying model airplanes and his J-3 Piper Cub. Interestingly, he attained his private pilot license before receiving his driver’s license.

He leaves behind a loving wife, Doris Deanhardt Thompson, to whom he was married for 63 years. There are sons Dean Thompson and wife Lisa of Augusta, Georgia; Jim Thompson of Nashville, Tennessee; and Dr. Michael Thompson and wife Paula of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Also surviving are grandchildren Laura, Paul, Lindsey and Mitchell Thompson and Jonathan and Nate Pyle. A brother, Kenneth and wife Shula Thompson, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents Homer and Maud Thompson, a sister Louise Raford, and brothers Harris, Carlton and Dewey Thompson.

Visitation will be Thursday 5 – 7pm at Emerson Funeral Home with a private funeral service afterward. The family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of choice in lieu of flowers.

Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.