Paul Dennis “Big Iron” Thompson, 78, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, July 31, 2016, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle in Columbus, Mississippi. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Nowell Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at 11 a.m. in the Nowell Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Childs and Bert Haaga officiating. Interment will follow in Arlington Baptist Church Cemetery in Neshoba County.
Paul was born on November 1, 1937, to Code and Pauline Barrett Thompson of the Burnside community. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1955. He joined the U.S. Army in 1957 where he served as a Military Policeman stationed in California. After his service he moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri before returning home. After his return to Mississippi he became a Deputy Sheriff for Neshoba County from 1962-1963. He graduated from the Mississippi Highway Patrol Academy in 1963 and served as a Trooper assigned to Winston County until 1985 when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant over the Division of Implied Consent. He held this position up until his retirement in 1990. He was a Mason in the Betheden Masonic Lodge.
Paul was a Boy Scout in his youth at Arlington. While living in Poplar Bluff, Missouri he served as Scoutmaster for Troop 164. After returning to Mississippi he became Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 5 in Louisville, a position he held from 1963 until 2008. He served as Ranger for Camp Palila Boy Scout Camp from 1967 until 1980. During his Scouting tenure he received numerous awards including the Silver Beaver and the Good Shepherd. He led many young men on his several expeditions to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch over the years.
Paul is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margie Hendrickson Thompson, of Louisville; three daughters, Denise Keller of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Paula Perkins (Mike) of Louisville, and MeLissa Halford (Tommy) of West Memphis, Arkansas. One of his greatest joys was being “PawPaw” to his five grandchildren: Justin Keller (Laken), Samantha Perkins, Brett Perkins, Mackenzie Halford and L. T. Halford; and his great-granddaughter, Karcie Raye. Paul also leaves behind his brother, Tony Thompson (Jimmy Diane) of the Nanih Waiya Community.
Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Kay Haas, Shirley McMillan and Jo Massey; his brother, John Thompson; and his son-in-law, Harold Keller.
Serving as pallbearers will be Justin Keller, Brett Perkins, Wally Bennett, Eddie Harsh, Michael Peterson, Kevin Hudson, Michael Cravens and Kent Coffey. Honorary pallbearers are the Band of Brothers. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, P. O. Box 1000 Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3517.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
