Francis Thompson

Francis Thompson (80) was born on August 14, 1939 in Smith County, Tyler, Texas to the union of Fred C. Thompson and Leona Jennings.  Leona and Fred predeceased Francis along with his sisters, Jesse Marie Ates and Doris Bradford, and his brothers, Fred Thompson, Jr. and Thasus Thompson. Francis was baptized in the Church of Christ at an early age.

The Thompson family relocated to Childress, Texas and then to Amarillo, Texas where Francis attended elementary school at Blessed Martin Mission.  After the family moved to Denver, Colorado, Francis graduated from Manual High School in 1959. 

On July 8, 1960, Francis and Alviner Baldwin were married.  To this union his sons, Richard Thompson and Kenneth Thompson and his daughters, Carol Ann Martin and Sharon Singleton were born. 

During that same year, Francis enlisted in the Army where he served with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.  While in the Army Signal Corps, he developed a passion for aviation and electronics.  In Cambodia, he demonstrated his expertise and leadership skills as an Avionic Equipment Maintenance Supervisor and an Electronics Instrument Repairer. While in service, Francis was awarded his Mobile Communications Diploma from the National Radio Institute in 1970.  Francis concluded his military career, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class and he received numerous awards and medals for his professionalism and meritorious service including the Bronze Star Medal.  Francis retired from the Army and was honorably discharged in 1980.

On October 24, 1981, Francis married Deborah Joy Hall Carter and he began his post-military professional career as an Electronic Technician and Equipment Specialist with several companies, including, Techdyn Systems Corporation, Electronic Concepts Corp., Frequency Engineering and TECOM-Vinnell Services.   

Francis continued his education at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey where he earned his Associate in Sciences Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology in 1992.  Francis was also awarded multiple certifications, including a certificate from Zenith Data Systems in 1988, a certificate from Fort Monmouth in 2000, and multiple certificates from Wayne Community College in 2010.

 After moving to Goldsboro, North Carolina, Francis attended Generation Church and he was a member of the Disabled American Veterans of Goldsboro.  Francis was also an active supporter and member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. 

Francis passed away peacefully in Goldsboro, North Carolina on May 1, 2020.  He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 39 years, Deborah Joy Thompson, his sons, Richard (Divina) Thompson, Kenneth Thompson, Shawn Carter and Colvin Carter, his daughters, Carol Ann Martin and Sharon (Melvin) Singleton, his grandchildren, James Thompson, Jennifer (Nolan) Campbell, Ambria Martin, Faith Martin, Derrick Singleton, Fantasia Singleton, Za’Khia Singleton, Mia Singleton and Jakobe Carter and his great-grandchildren, Grayson Campbell, Kyle Thompson, Ezra Lee Campbell, Opal Rose Campbell,  Jayden Martin and Kaylee Thompson.

He leaves to celebrate his life his sisters-in-law, Edna Thompson, Phyllis Boyd, Diane McCormick and Carla Boyd and his brother-in-law, Lawrence Boyd, Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Thompson family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com

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