Visitation:
202 W. Maple Street Willard OH 44890 3/30/2012 14:00:00
Service:
202 W. Maple Street Willard OH 44890 3/31/2012 11:00:00
December 26th, 1923 – March 25th, 2012
Amos Drue Thompson was born December 26th, 1923 in Garrett, Indiana, the eldest son of Elder Hubert W. & Novella S. Thompson. Amos moved to Willard, Ohio when he was two years old and attended Willard Public Schools.
In 1943, he married Alice Hammock and together they had one son, Allen. Also, in June of 1943 Amos enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and received his basic training at Montford Point, Camp LeJeune, NC. He was part of the last segregated Marines trained at Montford Point. Thompson’s wife and son both died in 1944 while he was overseas. While in the Marines, he accepted Christ as his personal savior. Amos was honorably discharged from the Marines in November of 1945.
He returned to Willard, Ohio in 1945 and began working for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and retired in 1985 after 40+ years of employment. On January 6th, 1947, Amos married Maxine Smith. To that union was born seven children: Sheila J. Thompson (deceased), Cheryl L. Thompson-Taylor (Donal), Aaliyah J. Karim (deceased), Denise L. VanLeer (David), Adrian D. Thompson, Esq. (Tracy), Valerie S. Saunders (Darin) and Christopher A. Thompson (Tricia).
He was preceded in death by his parents Hubert W. & Novella S. Thompson; first wife, Alice Thompson; children, Allen Thompson, Sheila J. Thompson and Aaliyah J. Karim and great-grandson, Tristan G. Thompson; sisters, Eula Mae Hammock, Martha Lee Scott & Elizabeth Ford and brother, William C. Thompson.
Amos was an avid gardener and loved to fish. He also loved music and was the director of a gospel quartet. In addition, he also helped to raise numerous nieces and nephews.
This past February, he was featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Willard Times for his service as a Montford Point Marine, and at the time he was one of 300 Marines still living of the 20,000 original Montford Point Marines. In November of 2011, President Obama signed legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the first blacks who enlisted in the U.S. Marines in the 1940’s. The action awards the medal to the Montford Point Marines “in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country”. The U.S. House passed the bill, sponsored by Rep. Corrine Brown, Florida Democrat, in October 2011 by a vote of 422-0. The Senate approved it by unanimous consent earlier in the month. Thompson’s wife will receive the medal on his behalf in a special ceremony slated to take place sometime this year.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maxine Thompson, five children, 22 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, his youngest sister, Dorothy Peat of New York and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 31st, 2012 at 11 am, with Pastor Jeff D. Jones officiating, at the Secor Funeral Home – 202 West Maple Street, Willard, Ohio 44890. Viewing hours will be on Friday, March 30th, 2012 from 2 – 4 pm and from 6-8 pm (the family will be present during this time). Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Willard, Ohio with military funeral rites. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Amos D. Thompson Scholarship Fund at First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 23, Willard, OH 44890. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.secorfuneralhomes.com
Condolences
We are all very blessed to have had such a strong and committed father figure in our lives. Cherish our times with Dad and know that he is in a better place and time. We will continue to carry on his blue collar approach and his love to all those around us. He has left a legacy for our family. Thank you to everyone for your kind words of sympathy and support. I love you dad. We love you and miss you! I will see you in another lifetime but still have much work to do here.
so sorry for your loss
it was nice seeing everybody again brought back lots of memories
THE ROBLES FAM
To the Thompson family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
God Bless. Tracy
Sis. Maxine and Thompson Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers that God will continue to wrap you in his arms of comfort and love.
Tina Howard Evans
Adrian and Family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Adrian you have been a good friend and classmate since East Side days and I wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you and your family at this time. May God wrap his arms around all of you and comfort you during this difficult time.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Thompson. I
did not know him but had the privilege of knowing
Maxine and of teaching Adrian, Valerie, and Chris at East Side. My condolences to all the family.
Maxine and the Thompson Family,
We are very sad about your loss and you are all in our prayers. Amos was such a nice man and those of us who had the pleasure of knowing him are honored and blessed. You both raised a tremendous family and Adrian has been one of my best friends since we were young and I value greatly our relationship.
God Bless all of you!
Sorry for your loss Chris. You are in my thoughts. God bless.
Maxine and Family, So very sorry to hear about Amos. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Bless you all, you have blessed so many with your kidness.
Candy and Herb
Maxine and family, sorry to hear the passing of Amos, we spent a few years togeather working at the roundhouse that i will always remember.
Also, I had not seen either of you since they closed kippeys tavern down.
God Bless
rest in peace cousin, your cousin in saginaw, mi
Maxine and the Thompson Family,
So sorry to hear of Amos’ passing. Growing up on the east side as a child, I remember Maxine and Amos always welcomed me with open arms everytime I came over to visit and see Adrian, I will always cherish that warmth and hospitality. My condolences go out to the Thompson Family during this time of sorrow and you are in my prayers, God Bless.