Robert Thomas Thompson

Robert “Bob” Thomas Thompson, Sr., 73, of Statesville, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Mr. Thompson was born September 19, 1945, in Gaffney, SC, and was the son of the late Zeb and Lala Margeary Ellis Thompson.  He graduated from Sumter High School in SC and then volunteered to serve in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War.  He was a member of the 1st Mobile Communications Group or 1st Mob, known as the “First In-Last Out” unit.  On July 13, 1968, he married Tandra Williard Thompson and lived in Garden City Beach, SC, where he worked for General Telephone Company.  He then completed college through the University of SC Columbia and Coastal Carolina University.  After moving to Statesville, NC, in 1976, he worked as a Field Engineer/Computer Technician for Data General, serving the NC and SC areas.  He later retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Statesville where he worked as a mold technician. Mr. Thompson had a quest for learning that never ceased, enjoyed reading, and completed all of the newspaper puzzles he could find.  He was a jack of all trades, and the engineer in him enjoyed the challenge of fixing things.  Some of his other hobbies included playing the guitar and astronomy, but his most precious time was spent with his family.  He was a compassionate, generous, kindhearted, and caring man that loved to help others. In addition to his wife of 51 years, he is survived by one daughter, Tandra Michelle T. Lintz (Dennis) of Fort Mill, SC; two sons, Robert Thomas Thompson, Jr. (Hong Liang) of Charlotte, Ramon Thomas Thompson (Carol) of Statesville; five grandchildren, Ciandra Lintz, Samantha Lintz, Robby Thompson, Rohann Thompson, McKinna Thompson; three brothers, Edward “Ed” Thompson (Nancy) of Gray Court, SC, James “Jimmy” Thompson (Susan) of Garden City, SC, Johnny Thompson (Pam) of Murrells Inlet, SC; and one sister, Joan Van Winkle (Dave) of Springboro, OH. A visitation for family and friends will be on a later date. Memorials may be made to DAV Harold Littlefield Chapter 68, 218 Bakery LN, Statesville, NC 28677 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org < http://www.stjude.org/ > Online condolences may be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com < http://www.troutmanfuneralhome.com/ > Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family of Bob Thompson.