J.D. "DICK" THOMPSON SR.
Sept. 3, 1916-June 5, 2014
J.D. "Dick" Thompson Sr., Leland, N.C., went to his heavenly home Thursday, June 5, 2014.
He was born (the first time) Sept. 3, 1916, on a farm in Salulston Township, Wayne County, N.C. He was the first child of the late Council Best Thompson and Gertie Parks Thompson.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Oswald, Lewis and Joe Thompson, and stepgrandson, Phil Dawson.
"Dick" is survived by his wife of 31 years, Doris Newsome Thompson; his children by a previous marriage, J.D. Thompson Jr., Dick Johnson Thompson and Robert Council Thompson and wife, Meg; grandchildren, Summerlin Thai Thompson and Roscoe and Mary Parker Thompson; sisters, Alta Brown of Murfreesboro, N.C., and Jeanette Morris and husband, William, of Hilton Head, S.C.; numerous nieces and nephews; stepchildren, Michael, David and Christopher Dawson and wife, Jan, and Stephanie Dawson Mintz and husband, Mike; and stepgrandchildren, Michael Mintz, William and Joseph Dawson.
Dick graduated from Goldsboro High school in 1933, and after traveling for two years, attended North Carolina State College, (North Carolina State University). His tuition and other expenses were paid by washing dishes in the dining hall and raking leaves on the campus grounds for 10 cents an hour.
Dick graduated in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy. He was a life member of the North Carolina State University Alumni Association, and was inducted into the honorary Agricultural Alpha Zeta Fraternity.
After graduating from North Carolina State, Dick was employed by the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service as an assistant county agent in Caswell County and later in Wake County.
After meeting Mr. A.E. Finley in October 1942 and being captivated by his dynamic and persuasive personality, he went to work for Mr. Finley Jan. 1, 1943, as a salesman with North Carolina Equipment Co., and later became senior vice-president. His relationship with North Carolina Equipment Co. continued through 2001, at which time the company (flagship of the Finley Empire) liquidated, and Dick retired at age 85 after more than 50 years in equipment sales.
The state of North Carolina had its share of road builders who worked nationwide, as well as worldwide, and Thompson followed them wherever they went. He was considered by many to be the consummate salesman, and still others referred to him as the quintessential salesman.
He loved selling, and never met a stranger. His customers became his friends. He was never intimated by the depth of the carpet in an office or their hangings on the wall. When the phone rings for Thompson, it might be friends anywhere in America or another country.
The equipment business and construction activities took most of Thompson's time; however, he had time for beef cattle enterprises in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.
He owned a cattle ranch in Trinidad, Colo., which he sold in 1977.
He was a charter member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
While living in the Leland area, he had several interests in the Raleigh area, one of which was a unique connection with Yates Mill Associates in the restoration of the more than 256-year-old grist mill that he helped restore and is in operation at 4620 Lake Wheeler Road. This historic jewel is non-profit, opened to the public, and the sale of the corn meal to visitors keeps the wheel turning.
Thompson was a member of the board of directors, and loved volunteering and telling school children and other visitors the story of this historic mill, which has attracted locals as well as visitors from many countries.
Dick was a member of the Good Ole' Boys Club in Raleigh that meets once a month at Carolina Country Club, The State Club on Centennial Campus and the steering committee of The Forever Club, a North Carolina State Alumni-related activity.
Dick enjoyed the luncheon meetings once a month with the men in his Brook Crossing neighborhood of Waterford and many other occasions with neighbors throughout the years.
The family extends thanks to the dedicated doctors, Pasquariello, Credle, Watson and Brezinski, and the Pulmonary Program, where he was enrolled and spent many hours enjoying fellowship with staff and friends.
Dick formed a special bond with John, Dale, Dr. Pierce and Big John, and enjoyed their many road trips and adventures. Also among his treasured friends are Sandra and husband, Kevin.
Dick was a Christian, and his greatest desire was for his children, grandchildren, all relatives and friends to know Christ as savior and spend eternity in heaven with him.
A celebration of life memorial ceremony will be held 2 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2014, at Wilmington Funeral chapel.
In lieu of flowers, Dick had requested that memorials be made to Yates Mill Associates Inc., P.O. Box 10512, Raleigh, N.C., 27605-0512.
Please share memories and condolences with the family at www.wilmingtoncares.com.
Wilmington Funeral and Cremation, 1535 S. 41st St., Wilmington, N.C., 28403, 910-791-9099.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on June 8, 2014 10:13 AM