Charles Alton Thompson
Published 2:39 pm Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Our beloved dad, granddad, great granddad, uncle, brother, and friend to many, Charles A. “Chuck” Thompson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on November 6, 2017. He was an inspiration to all who knew him and he positively touched and impacted the lives of many. He will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Chuck was born on February 5, 1921, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Grosse Pointe, and eventually was enrolled in Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia where he graduated in 1939. He proudly served our country in World War II under General George S. Patton as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, primarily serving in Italy, Sicily and Northern Africa.
Chuck met his future wife, Geraldine “Jerry” Smith, on a blind date while attending the University of Texas at Austin. However, as war was looming, the romance had to be put on hold when Chuck was called to report to active duty in Fort Bragg, NC in March of 1942. Chuck returned from active duty in June 1944, and Jerry and he married on July 28, 1944 in Miami, Florida. They were married for 62 years until Jerry’s death in 2007. Jerry and Chuck had four daughters: Kay; Janet; Nancy; and Susan (deceased). During their lives together, they enjoyed traveling various places, particularly the Cayman Islands, where they owned a condo on 7 Mile Beach. We made many happy memories as a family in the Caymans.
The majority of Chuck’s professional career was spent at Sabine Bank in Port Arthur as a Senior Vice President and Trust Officer. He retired from Sabine Bank in 1985 and moved to Austin where he continued in the banking profession for a few more years as a bank examiner.
Chuck lived a life that exemplified kindness, great moral character, helpfulness, and love of family. He always went above and beyond to help those who needed it the most. It was never a question for him as to whether he should help someone. He wanted to do what he considered to be the “right thing.” He was a voracious reader, a devout Methodist, frugal, and funny without even trying to be. He was a dedicated family historian and a loquacious storyteller. Our family will always remember him; his beautiful blue eyes, and his quick laugh. We will cherish our memories of the fun times we shared together as well as the times he was there for us.
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife Jerry, his daughter Susan Bailey, his grandson Jack Cloudt, his parents Charles and Marie, and sisters, Phyllis, Elaine, Marie and Marilyn. He is survived by his daughters Kay Estess (Sam), Janet Cloudt (Jim) and Nancy Northam (Kelly), nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
The family wishes to acknowledge and sincerely thank the loving and compassionate staff and caregivers at Brookdale Assisted Living and Brookdale Hospice who took such great care of our Chuck.
A viewing has been scheduled for Thursday, November 9, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78705 and funeral services are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 10, at Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703. In lieu of flowers please consider making a charitable contribution in his memory to the Jack Cloudt Creative Writing Scholarship Fund, (a 501 (c) (3) foundation), 8404 Appalachian Drive, Austin, Texas 78759 or to Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition, Austin, Texas 78703.
You may also access the online guest registry and obituary at www.wcfish.com. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Austin, TX – (512) 452-8811