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Thomas Claude Thompson, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and faithful Christian, a resident of Prattville, formerly of Greenville, passed away on Wednesday, July 10 at the age of 77.

Funeral Services were held on Monday, July 15, beginning at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Prattville with Dr. Travis Coleman and Rev. Dave Burns officiating and Dunklin Funeral of Greenville directing. Burial followed beginning at 2 p.m. at Sunrise Memorial Park in Greenville.  The family received friends for visitation on Sunday, July 14 beginning at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Prattville.

Born on May 7, 1947 to Elzie Ercil and Bertha Till Thompson, Claude grew up in a close-knit family, the only son, with three sisters in the farming community of Forest Home.

Attending primary school in Forest Home and then graduating from Greenville High School in 1965, Claude’s early life was spent in rural Butler County.

After studying at Troy University, he joined the United States Air Force. Following completion of Basic Training, he returned to his hometown and married Shirley Williamson on Sept. 1, 1968.  The couple had their first child, Rachael Lynn, while deployed to Puerto Rico in 1970. Following their return to Greenville their son, Tommy, was born in 1973.  Soon after his active duty from the Air Force concluded Claude joined the Air National Guard Unit at Dannelly Field Montgomery and settled near his boyhood home to raise his family. 

Claude and Shirley were faithful members of First Baptist (FBC) Greenville for many years with Claude leading mission trips and driving the church bus for the senior adult adventures and then youth trips when Rachael and Tommy became teenagers. Claude and his family cherished their time serving the church and community together until sadly, Shirley was diagnosed with cancer. After a long battle, where Claude proved a loving and faithful husband even in the worst of sickness, Shirley passed away in August of 1992.

It was shortly after, on a mission trip to Indiana with FBC Greenville, that Claude met Debbie Thorne and became friends. The two shared the common bond of losing a spouse and began writing letters back and forth for a period. In July of 1994 they married and moved to Prattville to begin their life together. Claude proved again to be a faithful husband as he came alongside Debbie to help her raise her two children, Amy and John. They both will attest today that Claude led by example of what a Christian father figure is to be.

Claude continued his service with the Air National Guard, Unit 187 Fighter Wing, from which he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 2004, having served over 30 years in our nation. He and Debbie joined First Baptist Church Prattville, where he was an integral part of that church family. Claude’s life was defined by his dedication to his Savior, his family, his country and his friends. While bravely serving his country on multiple deployments overseas, his family would agree that his proudest service was to his family, with his unwavering patience and love for them, and to his Lord. Claude served as a deacon and could be found on any given day with his close friends, Grady and Billy, working together around the church or helping families in the community. Claude continued to lead on mission trips and relished a trip to the Holy Land in 2015 with his friend and pastor, Travis Coleman.

The family found a note card written by Claude’s own hand in his Bible with a verse that encompasses his life most fittingly; “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9

Known for his quiet demeanor, kind nature, and humility, Claude touched the lives of many. While we have lost a husband and a father, many of you have lost a friend and a loved one in him. He has been a rock to many, a prayer partner to some, witty timing to others, and to a select few (sisters and buddies) a glorious aggravator. No matter what happened between you in your lives, once you were marked as important to him, he’d be by your side if you needed him. There was so much more to him than being a dad and husband, though to us that was his greatest role. Whichever position he was in, he fulfilled it with unwavering commitment and dedication. He truly lived out his faith, and God’s peace was with him. He will be remembered as a dear friend and devoted servant of God.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents Ercil and Bertha Thompson, his loving wife Shirley and his precious daughter, Rachael Thompson Brunson.

He leaves to cherish his memory and carry his legacy of faithfulness, his bride of 30 years, Debbie Thorne Thompson; children Tommy (Jackie) Thompson; Amy (Aaron) Cabaniss and John (Jennifer) Thorne amd Son-in-law, Eric Brunson.

Grandchildren: Cailyn (Trinidad) Miller, Clay (Alison)Thompson, Layla Thompson, Barrett Brunson, Ethan Brunson, Shirley Brunson, Thomas Cabaniss, Hugh Cabaniss, Clara Cabaniss, Lillian Cabaniss, Owen Thorne, Rylee Thorne, Harper Thorne and Madi Thorne as well as three godchildren:  Riley, Isaac and Noah Gray; three sisters Vera (Sam) McCleery of Peachtree City, GA; Hazel (Lewis) Stevens, Birmingham and Rebecca (WS) Godwin of Greenville. as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 Metroplex Drive, Suite 230, Homewood, AL 35209 or to The Gideons International.

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinfh.com.