Burnace "Tommy" Thompson
Burnace "Tommy" Thompson, 58, of Greenville departed this life to join his heavenly Father on Feb. 13, 2006, at 4 a.m. in hospice care at the V.A. Nursing Center in Bonham.
He, like his heavenly Father, was a carpenter by trade and served 18 years in the carpentry department of the Mesquite Independent School District.
Mr. Thompson was an inspiration to, and was loved by all, including his family, his church family and all who knew him, as he fought a courageous battle with cancer. Even though he was in constant pain, he never once complained.
He was born April 21, 1947, in Hunt County to E. Howard and B. Eula Isham Thompson. Burnace married Betty Ruth Bobo on June 20, 1969, in Greenville.
Burnace served his country in the U. S. Army for two years, working up to the rank of specialist. He went through basic training in Fort Polk, La., and then received his AIT training for carpentry at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. After that he spent 13 months at Lang Ben, Vietnam.
He received the nickname Tommy from his best friend in Vietnam and met his wife, Betty, through correspondence while he served in Vietnam.
He received the National Defense Service Medal, Expert Rifleman, Expert Service Medal, four Bronze Stars, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal.
Surviving are three brothers, Lee Thompson of Quinlan, Howard A. Thompson of Garland, Mike Thompson of Campbell; three sisters, Bettie Couch of Quinlan and Barbara Massey and Doris Swearingin of Greenville; 15 nieces; three nephews; numerous great and great-great-nieces and nephews; a host of friends at Old Concord Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife on Nov. 19, 2004; an infant son, Tommy Dale; his parents; one sister, Melba Lindsey; one brother, Herschel Thompson; and four nieces.
Services are at 2 p.m. Thursday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Bill Hazelip and Rev. Brad LaFavers officiating. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Thomas Sutton, Monty Cupp, Garrett LaFavers, Joe Little, Brad Jacobus, Sam McQueary, James Holley and Josh Holley.
Submitted by Brenda Merritt
