Mr. John Maxwell Thompson Sr., 70, of Ellaville, Ga., died Sunday, January 21, 2018 at his residence.
Mr. Thompson was born February 8, 1947 in Tifton, Ga. to the late Truman Lynn Thompson Sr. and Lillie Mae Wade Thompson. He grew up in Georgia, Yulee, Fla. and Fernandina Beach, Fla. He joined the U.S. Army in 1965 and was in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was discharged as specialist 5th class. Mr. Thompson retired from C.J. Bridges Railroad Contractors of Mulberry, Fla. in 2010 and retired to Ellaville. He loved hunting, fishing, and being a master of building things. He was a member of the American Legion Post 191 of Ellaville and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Survivors include his loving wife, Donna Allen Thompson of Ellaville; one daughter, Dawn Cunningham of Yulee; one son, John Thompson Jr. (Denise) of Lizella, Ga.; one stepdaughter, Lisa Peterson of Bartow, Fla.; three brothers, Derwood Thompson (Nancy) of Gainesville, Fla., William Thompson of Central America and Truman Thompson (Nancy) of Fernandina Beach; three sisters, Ruth Spinks (Allen) of Lakeland, Fla., Kathy Berry (John) of Homeland, Fla., and Betty Vickers (Jimmy) of Winter Haven, Fla. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Sowell; brothers, Rodney Thompson Sr., Ronnie Thompson, Donnie Thompson; and a stepdaughter, Julie Peterson.
Funeral services will be held on at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Williams, Rev. Ray Allen, Rev. Chris Allen and Rev. Scott Allen officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018.
Active pallbearers are Grady Hewitt, Randy Yelverton, Rob Branan, John Thompson Jr., Cory Rosendal, and John Berry. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Harper, Brett Yelverton, Blake Yelverton, Matt Folds, Colby Hewitt and Drew Cook. In honor of their uncle, Master Sergeant Rodney Thompson and Sergeant 1st Class Dominic Thompson will fold the flag. The Patriot Guard Riders will escort the procession for Mr. Thompson from the funeral home to the church.
You may sign the online guestbook and share you own special thoughts and memories with the family of Mr. Thompson by visiting Watson-Giddens Funeral Home’s website at watsongiddensfuneralhome.com.
Watson-Giddens Funeral Home