Cecil Bernard Thompson

Cecil Bernard Thompson, 82, of Oak Grove, died peacefully "at home", which was his wife’s last request, on July 24, 2010.  He went to join his wife of 61 years, Mary, whom he lost on April 26, 2010, and for whom he has grieved deeply.

He was born March 29, 1928 in Greenwood, W.Va., to William Ralston Thompson and Rachel Richards Thompson Hoover. When he was just a teenager, he worked at the Fenton Art Glass Company; later went to work at the River Gas Company; the Marietta Concrete Company, among other various odd jobs; lastly he worked at the Dravo Corporation where he was a grinder and welder retiring in 1984 after open heart surgery forced him to take disability.  He then took up wood working for a way of occupying his time and he built beautiful cradles for his grandchildren. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing with his wife and taking his grandchildren on trips.  His six grandchildren grew up thinking their grandpa "could do everything".  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

On September 3, 1948, he married Mary, the former Mary Lou Born, and they had three children who survive:  Merry Ann (Alan) Van Dyke of Marietta; Bernard (Janet) Thompson of Whipple; and Linda (Doug) Rowley of Parkersburg. There are six grandchildren:  Brent (Amanda) Van Dyke of Seattle, WA; Bryon (Becky) Thompson of Cutler, OH; Phillip (Katrina) of Whipple, OH; Lori Thompson (Joe) Cochran of Egg Harbor Township, NJ; and Stephen & Rebekah Rowley of Parkersburg, WV; and four great ­grandchildren: Kyle and Casey Thompson of Cutler, OH; and Jacob and Joshua Cochran of Egg Harbor Township, NJ.  He had two loving caregivers:  Bonnie Laubert and Joyce Haney who he loved as daughters. Also surviving is one sister Kathleen (James) Proffitt of Parkersburg and one brother Edward Thompson of Williamstown; two sister-in-laws Betty Born (who he loved dearly) and Helen Smith; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, three brothers: Virgil, Denzil, and Charles; and two sisters: Opal Sutton and Dorothy Flesher.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday (July 28th) at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with Reverend Richard Heller and Pastor Gabe Davis officiating.  Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.  Friends may call the funeral home on Tuesday beginning at 2:00 with family present from 2-4 and 6-8.