Carlton F. Thompson

Carlton F. Thompson
of BinghamtonCarlton F. Thompson, 81, died Sunday, September 4, 2005. He was predeceased by his parents, Fredrick S. and Dorothy L. Thompson; and a sister, Laurine Cardona Rose. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sue Kendall Thompson and children, C. Kendall and Renee Thompson, Binghamton, and Gail L. Thompson, Falls Church, Va. He is also survived by three grandsons, Erik, Luke and Kyle Thompson, all of Binghamton; a sister-in-law and husband, Joan and Franklin Sherman, Allentown, Pa.; five nieces, Bonnie Stockton (Eddie), Monticello, Ky., Linda Thomas, Lenore City, Tenn., Renee Clayton (Tom), Crossville, Tenn. and Maria Coulter (Brett), Maryville, Tenn., Leslie Sherman/Wakeley (David), Chestertown, Md.; two nephews, Mark Sherman (Vera), Washington, D.C. and David Sherman (Alisa), Ashland, Oreg. He graduated from Syracuse University (Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa), Syracuse University College of Law (Cum Laude, Justinian Society and Phi Delta Phi). He practiced law in Binghamton for 53 years with the firm of Levene, Gouldin and Thompson. He was a member of the Broome County Bar Association (President, 1966-67), New York State Bar Assn. (Chair. Trial Lawyers Section, 1984-85) and the American Bar Assn. Carl was the founding president of Broome Legal Assistance Corporation and was listed in "Best Lawyers in America". In 2002, the New York State Bar Assn. presented him with its "Professionalism Award" for exemplary ethical conduct, competence, good judgment, integrity and civility in the practice of law; received the N. Theodore Sommer Advocacy Award from Broome County Bar Assn. in 2005. Also active in Scouting, serving as Weblos Den Leader of Pack 47. Chairman of the Binghamton District of Susquenango Council, B.S.A., member of the Regional Board of Region Two and member of the Advisory Board of the Northeast Region, Boy Scouts of America. He lead the Region Two delegation of 656 boys and men from New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to the 13th World Jamboree in Japan in 1971 and later served as Camp Director of 2400 boys and men as Camp Commissioner for a similar contingent at two different National Jamborees at Moraine State Park, Pa. He was awarded both the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope and was recipient of the Council's Distinguished Citizen Award in 1991, and the James E. West Award. He was a veteran of World War II, a First Lieutenant on active duty in the Okinowan Campaign in the Pacific and was discharged in 1946. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, he was in Live Wire Club and belonged to the Harpur Forum, Binghamton Club, Vestal Hills Country Club and Rotary Club. A past member of the Board of Directors of Blue Cross of Central New York and founding member of the Board of Directors of United Health Services Foundation. Carl was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Centenary United Methodist Church until the church closed, and then became a member and Deacon of West Presbyterian Church. He served in a number of United Way volunteer capacities and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier. We wish to thank the efficient, dedicated Nursing Staffs of Third Floor Memorial and the Emergency Room of Binghamton General Hospital and of Good Shepherd/Fairview Home for his exemplary care; also the heroic 911 teams who raced to our rescue with kindness and help.
Funeral services will be held at West Presbyterian Church, corner of Main and Walnut Streets, Binghamton, Thursday at 11 a.m. Rev. Dr. Andrew Stehlik, his pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are invited to consider Baden/Powell Council, Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 66, Binghamton, N.Y. 13903, West Presbyterian Church, 80 Main Street, Binghamton, N.Y. 13905, the United Health Services Foundation, 10-42 Mitchell Ave., Binghamton, N.Y. 13903, or the charity of your choice.