Roy Lester “Tom” Thompson, age 73, died at his home in Ware Neck, Va., on Friday, May 12, 2023. After growing up near Columbus, Ohio, he served in the U.S. Army as a tank mechanic and administrative specialist with tours stateside and in Germany. He then served as a federal employee in positions of heavy equipment mechanic, railroad locomotive mechanic, and bus driver, working at Fort Eustis, Va., Naval Weapons Station, Va., the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., and Fort Belvoir, Va. He also was a commercial truck driver while in San Antonio, Texas. With 30 years of commitment, he retired from federal service to have more time for hobbies. Roy enjoyed woodworking, boating, and especially freshwater fishing. He fished for bass in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas, loving when he caught something he could cook and eat. He studied karate and attained a black belt. Also, he enjoyed vacations to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Mount Rushmore, and Florida’s Sea World, plus RV trips throughout the USA. He experienced cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii, French Polynesia, the Panama Canal, and Mexico. He was a great cook and could make wonderful grilled meals or seafood cooked in a cast iron frying pan.  And above all else, he loved time with his wife, even moving through several states with her for her job reassignments.

Parents, Hubert Lester and Mary Anne Faunce, as well as a sister, Rosalie Martin, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Debra (Deb) Thompson; his siblings, Bonita Pack and her husband Richard Park of Grand Saline, Texas; Hubert David Thompson and his wife Nancy Thompson of Marysville, Ohio; Georgianna L. Boles and her husband James W. Boles of Cable, Ohio; his brother-in-law, Calvin Martin (wife of Roy’s sister Rosalie) of Marion, Ohio; his sister-in-law, Linda A. Bolen of Gloucester, Va., and a multitude of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Hogg Funeral Home on Monday, May 22, 2023, from 1 p.m. until 1:45, followed by a Celebration of Life service, conducted by Pastor Art Wolz, in the chapel. The inurnment will be private. In memory of Roy, contributions may be made to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061. Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.