Mark Thompson

Asheville - Mark Wayne Thompson, 49, of 51 Dix Creek Chapel Road, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 20, 2005 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. A native of Gaston County, he had lived in Buncombe County since 1979. He was an underground foreman with M.B. Haynes Electric Company and was a member of Freedom Baptist Church. He was a US Army veteran. Mark W. Thompson never met a stranger or a person which he couldnt make laugh or smile. Kind and selfless like no other man on Earth, Marks kindred spirit and wide smile truly illuminated his life. He was not a wealthy man, but he had a bounty of love for all those around him, with which he shared in any way he could. If he thought a soul around him needed his shirt more that he did, he would gladly pull it off of his back and pass it along. He was a man who believed in family and friends and his life revolved around these things. He lived for his sons and their friends and worked everyday of his life with his family in mind. He was Daddy to Justin and Austin and was a husband to Colleen. These three people he gave to endlessly, looking out for all their needs and making sure his boys had more than he did. He adored his wife with endless devotion growing stronger to be the best of friends over their 24 years. Mark W. Thompson will never be replaced or forgotten on this Earth, for his spirit will live on through those he knew and touched. He used every ounce of life that could be packed into 49 years, living a caring life filled with honor and pride, right down to his very last seconds in his Earthly body. Mark embodied everything beautiful and right about human spirit, and God swept down and scooped up His angel flying too close to the ground, taking him home. He will be there waiting for his family and friends, ready to touch hearts and get everybody to keep on smiling, again. Mr. Thompson was the son of the late Dewey Lee Thompson, Sr. and the late Rebecca Beck Jones Thompson Cantrell. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Michael Thompson. Surviving are his wife, Colleen Bridges Thompson, of the home; two sons: Justin and Austin Thompson, both of Asheville; his step-mother, Sharon Thompson, of Asheville; a sister, Kitty Thompson Esquivel of Brownsville, TX; six brothers: Bruce Thompson of Rutledge, TN, Charles Thompson of Candler, Steve Thompson of Eastanollee, GA, Lee Bubber Thompson of Avalon, GA, David Brodie Thompson of Gastonia, and Willie Thompson of Toccoa, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 24, 2005 at 11 AM at Westwood Baptist Church, with the Rev. Richard Baird and Rev. Ricky Townsend officiating. Honorary pallbearers are David Worley, Charlie Hensley, Richard Delanoe Moody, Jr., Slater Martin Moody, Jordan Reagan, Kyle Reagan, and Ron Walker. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Friday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Justin and Austin Thompson Education Trust Fund, c/o The State Employees Credit Union, 145 Smoky Park Highway, Asheville, NC 28806.