Bob "Smiley" Thompson

Mr. Robert Garvey "Bob" Thompson, 97, affectionately known as "Smiley" departed this life to his Heavenly home, February 8, 2021.

Bob was born October 28, 1923, in Surry County, to the late Dalla Thompson and Edna Cockerham Thompson. He was a master beekeeper and an avid gardener who loved hunting and fishing. Bob served honorably in the United States Army during World War II. He was assigned to the tank division in Germany and was there when Germany surrendered serving in the occupation forces. He also fought at the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium; where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart and also received a Bronze Star. After his service to his Country was complete, he graduated on June 16, 1951 from the NC Highway Patrol training school at the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While on patrol he served in numerous counties throughout North Carolina, including, Burke, Buncombe, Cabarras, Rowan, Wayne, and Wilkes. Bob retired as a First Sergeant with the Highway Patrol on July 1, 1981 while assigned to Troop F, District 2 (Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany Counties) After his retirement he and Geraldine moved to Lake James where they enjoyed the next ten years of their retirement enjoying numerous fish frys and taking his grandchildren on boat rides, fishing trips, and teaching them to water ski.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Thompson Bradshaw; brother, Richard Thompson; and sister, Julia Thompson Cheek.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Chambers Thompson of the home; five children, Joe Thompson and wife SuAnne of Valdese, NC, Carolyn D. Jones of State Road, NC, Leslie K. Roope of State Road, NC, Sheree Billings and husband Ted of Traphill, NC, and Randy Jones and wife Sharon of Hudson, NC; and seven grandchildren, Andy Thompson and wife Connie, Jennifer Fender and husband Brian, Jevon Bradshaw and partner Kim Sue, Shannon Church and wife Jamie Church, Chandra Hoosier, Chris Wyatt and wife Alissa, and JR Fuller and wife Jennifer. Also surviving are ten great-grandchildren, Quincy, Kenley, and Sydney Fuller, Brannon, Brayson, and Briley Church, Nathan Fender, Sloan Gunnar, and Cutler Wyatt; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in State Road, NC, with Pastor Devin Severt officiating. Honors will be provided by the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

The body will lie-in-state on Friday, prior to the graveside from 1:00 PM to 1:55 PM at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church at 1997 Pleasant Ridge Rd., State Road, NC 28676.

An online obituary and guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com

Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the family.