Wayne Reed Thompson

Wayne Reed Thompson

Amory – Wayne Reed Thompson, 83, started his eternal life in Heaven on Sunday, December 18, 2022. He was born on August 2, 1939, in Amory, MS, to the late Bert Hutchinson Thompson and Afton Tibbett Thompson.
Wayne grew up in Monroe County and went to Amory High School. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Navy and on January 27, 1957, he married his bride of 65 years, Barbara Jean Bell. They initially resided in San Diego, CA, where he served his country for 2 years in the United States Navy and 2 years in the United States Marines. At the end of his military tour, they came back home to Amory where he worked 41 years as a brakeman and conductor for the BNSF Railroad. He loved being outside and traveling all over the country, seeing all that America had to offer. In addition to working on the railroad, he also spent 25 years, mainly his summers, crop dusting. Wayne was an intelligent man and earned his Commercial Pilots license in addition to all his other accomplishments. Every time he ascended into the clouds, he loved every minute of it. He would tell you that he had the two best jobs, which enabled him to see a lot of God’s great countryside from rail and sky.
A caring man, his family meant the world to him and God blessed him with three children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Wayne enjoyed doing things outdoors, especially duck, deer and turkey hunting. Wayne never failed to tell his family, as they traveled, “watch for deer”. He also loved fishing and was an avid Crappie fisherman who always enjoyed a challenge on the water. Over the years, he spent precious time with his grandsons, teaching them how to hunt and fish. He affectionately called his grandsons “Dude” and they in turn called him “Papa”. Wayne liked to go camping with his family, especially at Sardis or Grenada, where they would spend great times together. Speed also made him smile, as evidenced in his jobs, yet watching Nascar races gave him another thrill. He was a jokester, often pulling pranks on an unprepared friend or family member. He always had a smile and one of his closest friends in life was Doug Stevens. Another close buddy of his was his four legged companion “Copper”, who was always a loyal friend.
He loved the Lord and was a member of Becker Baptist Church. Wayne was an active member and he loved making children smile as he handed out candy every Sunday in the church. There is no doubt that his presence will be missed greatly among his church family. In addition to being active in church, he really enjoyed the companionship with his fellow brothers from the Masonic Lodge. He was very active in the Masons and he achieved the accomplished level of 32nd Degree Master Mason.
Wayne was most proud of his children and grandchildren, with whom he shared a military bond with, as they were also in the Navy and the Marines. He liked watching his granddaughter cheer and participate in pageants. Most of all, he just loved his family, spending time with them, making memories. Wayne was a one of a kind, flying high happy spirit. His family and friends have no doubt that he is just now experiencing the wonderful majesty that his Father has laid out before him. He will be missed.
Those left behind to cherish his memories are his loving wife, Barbara Thompson, Amory; sons, Steve Thompson, Oxford, and David Thompson, Amory; daughter, Karen Thompson Rogers (Jeff), Brookhaven; grandchildren, Johnathan Thompson (Nikki Banks Thompson), Chandler Rogers (Hanna Qedan Rogers), Peyton Rogers Scott (Corbin Scott); great grandchildren, Joanna Marie Thompson and Reed Allen Thompson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Bert Thompson and Dale Thompson, and his sister, Lana Thompson Camp and Nita Stanley.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 1:00 pm, at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory with Bro. Randy Spencer and Bro. Jason Green officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery with pallbearers being Johnathan Thompson, Chandler Rogers, Corbin Scott, Ralph Bell, Frank Finney, Curt Bell, David Boyd and Butch Grissom. Honorary Pallbearers will be Doug Stevens and the BNSF Railroad Employees.
Visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, at the funeral home, from 11:30 am until the service hour at 1pm.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Becker Baptist Church, PO Box 83, Becker, MS 38825.
Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.