Two new leaves were added to my family tree in the form of two new grandsons. Now today, as the Christmas season is upon us, another leaf has fallen. I've lost my Daddy.
Robert W Thompson was born March 10, 1935. He was the only child of William Joseph Thompson and Hattie Helen Hudson Thompson. They were not my biological family, but they were my family nonetheless.
Momma and Daddy started dating the year before I started school. They married when I was 5 and when I was 7, Daddy became my legal father and I was issued a new birth certificate.
He never knew an enemy that I ever knew of. He was kind and giving and loved by all who knew him.
He spoiled me. When Momma said "No", Daddy would say "Yes". He was always there for me through thick and thin, through good times and bad times.
When I was widowed very young with 3 small children, he was there for me. For all of our celebrations, our ups and downs as a family, he was there.
He served in the Army during the Korean War, returning home to pursue a career with the State Department of Transportation, first in the Right of Way Office, as a Surveyor and moving up after taking classes to become an engineer.
His children were born handicapped and he fought for their right to an education and helped found the GHA ( Group Homes for the Autistic). In honor of his work, one was named in honor of him.
He retired from the state in 1997 with 35 years of service.
The Earth has lost a good man and heaven has gained an angel.
We lost my mother 3 years ago. He mourned her so and would visit her grave every day as long as he could and sing to her. Theirs was a true love story.
They were married for 51 years.
RIP Daddy.
He's survived by 3 children, 4 Grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren, many cousins and numerous friends.
I love you! Thank you for being my Daddy!