Louis Douglas Thompson

March 10, 2017

Louis Douglas Thompson was born June 27, 1934, in Colquitt, Ga. He was the eldest child of the late Mr. Babe and Mrs. Hattie Thompson. Douglas confessed Christ as his Savior at an early age and joined Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cyrene, Ga. He attended school until the ninth grade and was then required to work in the fields to help provide for his family; it was at this time he acquired his desire to farm.

In 1953, Douglas married the late Mary Evelyn Dale. Their union of forty-three years bore five children. During the early years of his life he worked as a heavy machine operator running bulldozers. Douglas also had a knack and love for cars, and with the Thompson’s entrepreneurial spirit he, along with his brother, opened Thompson Garage. After a successful start of his first business, he proceeded to partner with Harper Vault Company, and later he ventured out and became sole proprietor of Thompson Vault Company. A few years later, he purchased farmland and set out to begin farming as Thompson Farms, his pride and joy. Both businesses were and continue to be very successful. Douglas was an employee of the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency for over thirty-seven years.

In 2005, he married Ossie Baulkman Clark, who remained his companion until his demise. Before his health began to decline, he enjoyed hunting, fishing in his pond, racing cars, and his all-time favorite of flying with the pilots who sprayed his peanut crop. Douglas was a man of wisdom and knowledge and loved to teach anyone who was willing to learn. He contributed to a number of charitable organizations, including Emory University School of Medicine. He was also awarded Soil and Water Conservationist of the Year.

Louis Douglas Thompson departed this earthly life on Friday, March 10, 2017, at Bainbridge Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge, Georgia.

A celebration of life service was held Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 3 p.m. at First African Baptist Church with Rev. Spencer Wilson Pastor and Presider and Pastor John Neal as Eulogist. Interment followed in Mount Zion Church Cemetery.

He was predeceased by his sons, Benny Louis Thompson and Willie James Thompson; grandson Oliver Louis Andrews, and a brother R. B. Thompson.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Ossie Thompson of Bainbridge; one son, Luther Earl Thompson of Carrabelle, Florida; two daughters, Barbara Thompson Colston of Tallahassee, and Lucy Thompson Andrews of Stockbridge, Ga.; stepchildren: Larry Clark (Shirley), Thomas Clark Jr. (Maria), Patrick Clark, all of Bainbridge, and Patricia Isom (James) of Covington, Ga.; one sister, Della Thompson Jackson of Bainbridge; grandchildren: Maurice Thompson, Tizana Brown, Ishna Henry, Dana Thompson, Olivia Andrews, Charlie Andrews, Courtney Colston and Vincent Andrews Jr.; step-grandchildren: Shirmil White, Shirelle Jackson, Brittany Brooks, Thomas Clark III, Andrew Nix, and Allan Nix; and a host of great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren, and over four generations of nephews and nieces. He also leaves to honor him, special family members: Beverly Weatherington -Jones, Nicholas Jones and Quinlan Jones and friends.

Guyton Brothers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.