Gary Paul Thompson

Gary Paul Thompson

Gary Paul Thompson, 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, in Many, Louisiana after a brief illness.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, at First Baptist Church, Florien, Louisiana. Family visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, at the church. Officiating will be pastors Bobby Franklin, Patrick Morgan, and Arturo Us Moo.

Gary was born on December 3, 1933, in Tullos, Louisiana. For many years, he worked in the oil industry. In 1969, he and his family moved to Florien, Louisiana, where he owned and operated The "Y," a gas station and washateria. He also worked for Patrick Miller Tractor Company and S & J Family Grocery, with his brother-in-law, Sid Lucius. He never met a stranger and made many friends over the years.

Serving the Lord was his passion. He was actively involved at First Baptist Church, Florien, where he served as a deacon and in various other areas. Mr. Gary was loved by young and old alike. He is known by all as "The Candy Man." His pockets were always full of candy and his joy was to carry just the right flavor for each of his friends. He and his life-long companion, Claire, travelled to Mexico, New Mexico, Montana, and numerous other places to share the gospel. He loved to travel in his motorhome to many of these places, enjoying the beauty of God's creation. He displayed the love of Christ wherever he traveled as he built churches, cooked for youth camps, and repaired facilities. He became a part of the Gideon International organization, speaking and distributing Bibles throughout the area. He served as Missions Director of the Sabine Baptist Association for the past two years and was instrumental in establishing the Hispanic Mission in Florien, Louisiana. He was also active in the local chapter of the Masonic Lodge.

Papaw was loved dearly by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Mimaw had the great privilege of taking each of the grandsons on an extended summer vacation to places across the western United States. He always carried pictures of his precious great grandchildren in his pocket wherever he went and everyone had to take time to look at them and listen to new stories about them.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, M. M. "Satch" and C. B. Thompson, and an infant brother, Merl Mark Thompson. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Claire Lucius Thompson; sister, Millie Wall and husband, Curtis of Vivian, Louisiana; daughter, Lisa McGuirt and husband, Mike, of Shreveport; son, Mark and wife, Susan, of Baton Rouge; grandsons, Matthew and wife, Kim; Adam and wife, April, and Jacob McGuirt; great-grandchildren, Lily, Caleb, Sophie, Emily, and Chase McGuirt, the loves of his life.

Pallbearers for the service are his grandsons, Matthew, Adam, and Jacob; nephews, Sid Lucius, Jr. and Jason Lucius; Mack Conley, Ivan Harless, and Joe Salter.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Chesley Gregory and the staff and administration of Sabine Medical Center, who ministered to our husband and Dad in his final days. God placed special people to walk alongside us through this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Eagles' Wings Youth Ranch,

P. O. Box 465, Mountainair, NM 87036 or Gideons International, 1982 Marthaville Road, Many, LA 71449.