Obituary of Artis K Thompson

We lost another member of America's Greatest Generation. A sailor died today. Artis K Thompson went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 20, 2014 at the age of 94 when his Lord said, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord. Matthew 25:21. Funeral services for retired Navy medic Mr. Artis K Thompson of Grayson, LA will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, September 22, at Riser Funeral Home in Columbia, LA. Bro. Shane Duke and Bro. Rick Crandall will be officiating. Interment will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery in Grayson, LA. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Artis was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and child of God. He was often called "Tommy", "Skeeter", Or "Daddy Boy" by his friends and family. He was born September 10, 1920 in Kelly, LA. Mr. Thompson was born to the union of Caleb Thompson and Zula Gibson Thompson Cook. He was one of 12 children. On April 22, 1945, Artis married the love of his life, Mrs. Rose Mary McNamee Thompson. They were married in Brooklyn, New York where they met while he was stationed and serving in the United States Navy. He served as a medic on the USS Marblehead CL 12 during WWII. After serving in the Navy from 1942-1945, Artis tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He made a good showing, but was beat out by the legendary Pee Wee Reese. He was offered another invitation to try out for another team but opted to stay home with his family. A few years later Artis moved his family to Houston, Texas to begin work as a mechanic. This led to an opportunity to return to his childhood home in Grayson, LA to work as a mechanic for Gartman Motor Company and McIlwain Motor Company in Columbia, LA. He later took a job as a mechanic with Sears and Roebuck in Monroe, LA. In 1963, Mr. Thompson went to work for the Caldwell Parish School Board as head custodian and bus driver for the newly built Caldwell Parish High School. He retired in 1980 after 17 years of service with the Caldwell Parish School Board. In retirement, Artis enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his great-grandchildren. He was a member of Parker Hunting Club for many years. He was a member of Grayson Baptist Church and was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Caleb Thompson and Zula Gibson Thompson Cook, five brothers, Hardy, Odis, James "Bully", Nathaniel and Henry, sisters, Deverne Estes and Rainy Thompson, and three great-grandsons, Michael Parker, James Gresham, and Joseph Newton Strong. He is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Rose Mary Thompson, his daughter, Maureen and husband Arnold Parker of Grayson, LA., daughter Marie and husband Terry Cooley of West Monroe, LA, three grandchildren, Dena and husband Richie Strong of Oak Grove, LA., Reed and wife Tammy of West Monroe, LA., Dusty and wife Jill of Grayson, LA., eight great-grandchildren, Seth and wife Brittany of Longview, TX., Mary Cait and Ryder Strong of Oak Grove, LA., Lauren, Michaela, and Tyler Parker of West Monroe, LA., Dakota and Caleb Cooley of Grayson, LA. And siblings: Anna and husband Monroe Albritton of Oregon, Sennie Kellley of West Monroe, LA., Josephine Martin of Mesquite, TX., and Walter Lee Cook of Livingston, Texas. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Reed and Tyler Parker of West Monroe, LA., Richie and Seth Strong, of Oak Grove, La., Lloyd Williams and Blaine Cobb of Columbia, LA. Honorary Pallbearers will be grandsons Ryder Strong of Oak Grove, LA., Dusty, Dakota, and Caleb Cooley of Grayson, LA, Binus Duke of Columbia, LA., and George Boyd and Raymond Cruse of Grayson, LA. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Shroff for his many years of special care he gave to our daddy and grandfather. Also to the staff of The Haven for the love and kindness, extended to him during his short stay with them. He loved you all very much. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:15.