On Sunday, January 31, 2021, the Thompson family suddenly lost a beloved husband, dad, and poppa. Johnny Ray Thompson was born on August 24, 1945, in Lawrence County, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Hubert Edward Thompson and Gertrude Robertson Thompson. As a child, he loved to spend time with his brothers, sisters, and cousins. He had a special love for his grandfather Jesse Thompson and loved to tell stories of what a great impact he had on his life. Johnny loved the outdoors. At a young age he discovered his passion for hunting and fishing. He raised champion hunting dogs and loved spending time in the fields with them. When he was 21 years old, he met the love of his life Linda Marie Thompson at a drive in restaurant and the rest is history. They married in November of 1966 and made their home together in Collinwood, TN where they raised their two children: Greg and Tammy. They had a wonderful life together. Johnny worked at Murray Ohio in the paint department for many years of his adult life, but decided to make a career change in his 50’s. He chose real estate and found great fulfillment and success in his work. In 1995, Johnny and Linda moved to Lawrenceburg, TN where they eventually built a home on a small farm in Flatwoods. Johnny and Linda shared a love for antique cars and loved to travel to car shows together. Johnny also loved to work a garden and spent countless hours watching football, baseball, and NASCAR. Johnny loved to spend time with his grandkids on the farm and never missed an opportunity to show them how much he loved them. Johnny was an honest, hardworking man who dedicated his life to God, his family, and friends. Johnny was a great storyteller, who loved to sit with his family for hours sharing memories from his life. He was a very selfless and giving man who had a heart of gold. Johnny was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge No. 542 in Lawrenceburg, TN.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Gertrude; his brother, Billy; and his sister, Charlene.
Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Linda; and his two children, Greg (Kim) Thompson and Tammy (Doug) Stokes. His grandchildren, Christopher (Abby) Gorbatoff, Anna Gorbatoff, Lydia Thompson, Phoebe Thompson, and Gracie Stokes. He is also survived by his brother, James (Debra) Thompson; sister, Jackie Harris; brother, Larry (Melissa) Thompson; brother-in-law, JP (Sandy Gillis); and lots of nieces and nephews. Those serving as pallbearers are Boyce Gillis, Josh Harris, Brad Harris, James Thompson, Jr., Benjamin Thompson, Larry Thompson, and Christopher Gorbatoff. The honorary pallbearers are James Thompson, Sr., Dalton Thompson, C. W. Brown, Bobby Rex McDaniel, Terry Jacobs, Stan Bevis, Doug Stokes, and Jack Insco.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Thursday, February 04, 2021, at Neal Funeral Home. Private funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home with Greg Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceburg, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation in his honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
