Bradley Thompson

Bradley Deforrest Thompson, Jr. MATTHEWS - Bradley Deforrest Thompson, Jr., age 71, of Matthews, NC, passed away at his home on Monday, May 19, 2014. Commissioned in the US Army as a captain, he served his country proudly, receiving a bronze medal for service during the Vietnam War. He currently worked at Cardinal Lane Book Fair in Charlotte; however, his true passion was women's basketball. In 1999 Brad helped form a girls' basketball organization called the Piedmont Pride. For the past fifteen years, Brad had successfully run this organization, which assisted young ladies in the development of their basketball skills. He believed that female athletes deserved the same consideration and chance for success through competition, dedication, recreation and fellowship. He was a strong supporter and volunteer for the Porter Ridge High School athletic department and was well loved by faculty and students. He is survived by his children: daughter, Ina Louise Thompson of Concord, NC, who is a math teacher and head women's basketball coach at Porter Ridge High School; and son, Bradley Deforrest Thompson, III, daughter-in-law, Lisa and their three children: Cameron 13, Christian 9 and Connor 2, of Lubbock, Texas; brother Stuart R. Thompson of Charlotte, NC, and brother Peter C. Thompson of Duncannon, Pa. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014, at 6:30 pm in Cuddy Arena at Wingate University, 230 North Camden Road in Wingate, NC. In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorial gifts in Brad's name to Wingate University Women's Basketball, Wingate University, P.O. Box 159, Wingate, NC 28174.