Obituary

Sam R. Thompson died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at age 98. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Calvary Baptist Church located at 1613 W. 24th St., the Rev. John Powell presiding. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors immediately following A visitation will be held Tuesday evening, Jan. 27, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Kornerstone. Sam was born Nov. 7, 1916, to Samuel J.T. and Carrie Burrows Thompson in Maysville, Oklahoma. He attended school until they ran out of grades at the country schools. The Thompson family moved to Hale County, Texas, in the late '20s and eventually to Plainview. He married Lillian Echols on Jan. 16, 1942, in Clovis, New Mexico, just days before Sam reported for duty in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. He spent the most of four years defending his country in the European Theatre of Operations during World War II. Staff Sgt. Thompson was a member of the 876th Chemical CO, 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force headquartered at Chelveston, Northamptonshire, England, where he served with distinction. After the war, Sam spent the next seven decades devoting his life to loving his wife, their four children, their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren while applying his talents as a farmer, harvester, plumber, welder, carpenter, implement manufacturer, counselor, mentor and friend. He has many, many friends. He loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ. Sam did not speak God's Word to others, he just lived it. No fanfare, no theatrics just an example of humility, compassion, giving and doing what is right. He enjoyed laughter, sharing good times with family and friends and coconut pie, or anything sweet his wife made. Sam was preceded in death by his wife Lillian Echols Thompson, parents, two brothers, four sisters, son Troy Thompson and grandson Clay Warren. He is survived by three children, Dale and wife Gayla of Amarillo, Shirley Lee and husband Greg of Arlington, Freada Warren and husband Mark of Plainview and a daughter-in-law, Stephanie Thompson-Sweatt and her husband David also of Plainview. Sam and Lillian were blessed with five grandchildren, Melissa Hooks and husband Danny of Plainview, Russell Thompson and wife Teresa of Houston, Ann Marie Mannon and husband Jeff of Arlington, Landon Thompson and wife Abby of Austin and Vanessa Seaberg and husband Evan of Amarillo. Great-grandchildren are Jayce Beasley and wife Emily of Austin, Daniel Hooks, Meagan Hooks both of Lubbock and Aaron Thompson, now serving at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base San Diego, California and three great-great-grandsons, Gaven Hooks, Fox Landry Beasley and Bo Braxton Seaberg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Clay R. Warren Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 626 Plainview, TX 79073 or Calvary Baptist Church.