Frederick Haller Thompson

Frederick Haller Thompson passed away quietly in his sleep on September 26, 2007, at the age of 89. He was born and raised in Watertown, New York. After graduation from Watertown High School where he was class valedictorian, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for three years before transferring to Harvard Medical School, graduating with the M.D. degree in 1943. After completing his internship and junior assistant residency at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Dr. Thompson had a tour of duty as a Captain in the U. S. Army Medical Corps. Afterwards, he entered the pathology resident program at Crawford Long Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. He was assistant pathologist at Crawford Long Memorial Hospital for a short period of time following the completion of his residency. In the early 1950‚s, he became the pathologist for Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, Ga.; After 5 years, he returned to Atlanta as an assistant pathologist at Piedmont Hospital. In 1960, Dr. Thompson came to what is now Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, as the hospital’s first full- time pathologist. In addition to serving Americus, he was the consulting pathologist for a number of other hospitals in Southwest Georgia and Alabama. He retired at age 66 to live quietly at home in Americus with his wife, Sarah Moorhead Thompson, originally from Morgan County, Georgia. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement with Sarah, his cigars, dogs, books, and drinks. Dr. Thompson was board certified in Pathologic Anatomy and Clinical Pathology. He was a fellow of the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. He was a member of the Medical Association of Georgia, the American Medical Association, the Sumter County Medical Society, as well as a long time member of the Americus Rotary Club (Mickey Mouse). He was honored to have his portrait included in the portrait gallery of distinguished physicians at Sumter Regional Hospital. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Frede Wellons and husband, Neal, of Hampton, Georgia and Judy Thompson of Mount Berry, Ga.; a sister, Dr. Helen Seyfried of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; a niece, Dr. Sandra Seyfried and husband, Allan Burnett of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; a grandson, Cody Wellons of Duluth, Georgia, and granddaughter, Susan Wellons; a brother-in-law, Robert Moorhead of Madison, Georgia and a sister-in-law, Marie Moorhead, of Madison, Georgia. Other survivors include grandchildren and great- grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His sense of humor and kindness will be fondly remembered and cherished by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 at First United Methodist Church in Americus with the Rev. Jim McIlwrath officiating. The family will receive friends at the residence 414 Judy Lane, Americus, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. today, Sept. 28, 2007. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sumter Regional Hospital Foundation, Rebuilding Fund, 100 Wheatley St., Americus, Ga. 31709, Hospice of Americus and Sumter County, P O Box 1434, Americus, GA 31709, or to the charity of your choice. You may share you own special memories and sign the on line guest book by visiting www.greghancockfuneralchapel.com Greg Hancock funeral chapel is in charge of arrangements.