Joe Thompson

Joseph Dixon Thompson, “Joe”, age 70, died quietly early the morning of September 4, 2020.  After many years of decline due to Alzheimer’s Dementia, Joe is now at peace.  At the time of his death he was under the diligent and compassionate care of a spectacular team of nurses and physicians at the Durham VA Medical Center’s hospice unit.

Funeral, Tuesday at 2:00 PM, Stantonsburg Cemetery.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Patricia (Pat) Greene Thompson, his brother Jim Thompson, and his parents, James and Edna Thompson.

He is survived by son Joseph Wilbur Thompson, daughter-in-law Katherine Bryan Thompson, two granddaughters Katherine Bailey and Caroline Riley Thompson of  Apex, NC; daughter Caroline Dixon Thompson of Beulaville;  brother, Jack Thompson of Wilson; sisters, Mary Thompson Wilson and Martha Moore of Atlantic Beach, and sister-in-law Carolyn Thompson of  Wilson.  Also surviving are Joe’s innumerable close friends and extended family, who he loved dearly.

Joe will be remembered for the wide bright smile that lit up his whole face and his loud, cackling laugh.  He was a talented and diligent craftsman and mechanic, a Jack and a master of all trades who was always ready to lend a skilled hand to a friend.  He loved his family, in particular spending time at his cottage in Bayview, NC going boating, skiing, and fishing with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  For many years he visited Will’s home at least once a week for dinner and to see Bailey and Riley; there has never been a prouder grandparent than was Joe of his girls.  He would never admit to being an animal lover, but spent many a night napping with his cat Lucy in his lap and always took time during visits with friends and family to chat with their animals.  He loved good food, loved music, and loved people.

Joe and his family are endlessly grateful for the many visits, cards, meals, Mountain Dews and Snickers bars provided through the years by his friends and family.  As an active and social man, these visits were the highlight of this last difficult time.  He was fortunate to have accumulated such a wonderful and generous group of friends.  He was also fortunate to have received such excellent care in the last years of his life, in particular by the staff at the Durham VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful to accept donations in Joe’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association of North Carolina (act.alz.org) or to Durham VA Volunteer Services Hospice Fund, 508 Fulton Street, Durham NC 27705.