Edward Calton Thompson Sr.

Edward
Calton Thompson, Sr.
FOREST CITY -- Mr. Thompson, age 88, of 146 Webb Drive died Sunday April 30, 2006. He was born July 4, 1917 the son of the late Edward Thompson and Emma Calton Thompson.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marguerite Huntley Thompson; a son, Edward Calton Thompson, II of Forest City; a granddaughter, Anna Thompson Hardin and her husband, Phil, of Ellenboro; a grandson, Edward Calton Thompson, III and his wife, Melissa, of Forest City; and three great grandchildren, Edward Calton Thompson, IV, Sarah Robbins and Laura Robbins; sisters, Eunice T. Scott and her husband, David, of Plano, TX and Rosalie T. McRorie of Forest City. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Albert Thompson and Dub Thompson and sisters, Elizabeth T. LeMaster, Evelyn T. Crocker, Mary C.T. Kiser and Louise Thompson.
Ed graduated from Wake Forest in 1938 with a BS in Chemical Engineering and a BS in Mathematics. He worked at the Thompson Dairy before attending the University. Ed worked with the North Carolina Highway Department, the United States Ordinance Department and was a Chemist and Plant Manager for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Ed was the Owner and President of Ron & Eddy's Restaurant for 57 years.
Ed was a member of the First Baptist Church of Forest City, The Forest City and Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. He was a retired Forest City Volunteer Fireman having served for 20 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Rutherford County Industrial Development Commission. He was a life member of the Forest City Kiwanis Club and received the Carl B. Hyatt Fellowship award, the Kiwanis Clubs highest award. He was a charter member of the North Carolina Restaurant Association where he held every office and was on the Board of Directors for over 40 years. For his tireless fundraising efforts, he was honored with the Edward C. Thompson scholarship fund.
Ed was most recently honored with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, given by Governor Mike Easley. It is the highest honor awarded to any North Carolina civilian, for community and state leadership and philanthropic service.
A funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday May 3, 2006 at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Barry K. Keys and Mr. Thompson's nephew, the Reverend Dr. George Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in the Cool Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 PM Tuesday evening at The Padgett and King Mortuary, 227 East Main Street, Forest City, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Western North Carolina Chapter, 31 College Place, Ste D320, Asheville, NC 28801.
The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge.