Ronald A. Thompson

CWO and First Sgt. Ronald A. Thompson, (U.S. Army Retired) age 75 of Gulfport died Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Gulfport. Mr. Thompson was born in Pittsburgh, PA and had been a resident of Gulfport for about 12 years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1975 retiring as an engineer/TOPO. Among the awards he received were the Bronze Star, Army commendation (2 awards) and the Good Conduct (6 awards). During his military career he served stateside, in Europe, Germany, Vietnam, and MACV Headquarters. Following his Army career, Mr. Thompson worked for the State of Texas in the Comptroller Agency as manager of the Printing Facilities, retiring again in 1993. Mr. Thompson was a member of St. Anthony Lyceum in Pittsburgh, and was a life member of the VFW and DAV in Texas. Following retirement Mr. Thompson resided in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX, Ft. Sam Houston (BAMC) TX, and Ft. Bragg, NC. He was a resident of the AFRH in Gulfport when Hurricane Katrina struck, then moved to the AFRH in Washington, DC and Fairhope, AL before returning to the AFRH in Gulfport in 2010. Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his wife, Ida E. "Tip" Marshall Thompson who died in December, 2005. Prior to her death Mr. and Mrs. Thompson resided together in Gulfport and Washington. Survivors include four daughters, Mary Tolson, Carol Thompson, Dolores Thompson and Joan Thompson; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth Thompson; and a sister, Audrey Strnad. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 11 am at the Armed Forces Retirement Home Chapel, Gulfport. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:30 am at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. It was Mr. Thompson's request that memorials to his memory be made to Army Emergency Relief (AER) for military service members and families, Attn: Donations, 200 Stovall St. Room 5-N-13, Alexandria, VA 22332-0600. or the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com