Grady Leon Thompson

Grady Leon Thompson, 78, of Morganton, NC passed away Saturday, December 28, 2013. Born in Ruleville, MS on October 29, 1935, he was the son of the late Grover Leon Thompson and the late Jessie Beatrice Burnley Thompson. Grady was of the Baptist faith. He served as an MP in the U.S. Air Force at several locations before being discharged at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, MS. Like his own father, Grady had a love of mechanics. His work experience in his father’s and uncle’s shops and at Cutting Cross Chevrolet led to a career as service manager at Martin Family Ford from 1983 until he retired in 1997. Grady enjoyed NASCAR, watching football, and reading.Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife of over 43 years, Sheila "Pat" Clontz Thompson of the home; a daughter, Kimberly Calhoun and her husband, Phillip, of Morganton; grandchildren, Ashley Gardner and her husband, Christopher, and Grant Huffman and his companion, Melissa Aldridge; great-grandchildren, Alaina Gardner and Hayden Huffman; brothers, Bobby Thompson of Columbus, MS, Dale Thompson and his wife, Carol, of Statesboro, GA, Kenny Thompson and his wife, Mary, of Deatsville, AL, and Roy Doug Thompson and his wife, Gloria, of Columbus, MS; a sister, Frances Troxler and her husband, David, of Sevierville, TN; and a great-great-nephew, Bryson Clontz of the home along with a host of nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Grady was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Wayne Thompson, and a sister, Mavis Everett.The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 1, 2014 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with Dr. Ralph May officiating. Military honors will be provided by the N.C. National Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, NC Chapter, 514 Daniels St. #109, Raleigh, North Carolina 27605.