Freddie Lee Thompson, Sr.

Mr. Freddie Thompson, Sr. was born on December 26, 1936, as the second child of the late Mr. Jewel Thompson and Mrs. Essie Mae Dewberry of Lindale, Texas.  He grew up in Lindale and attended school at Bragg Morris High School and graduated from I.M. Terrel High School. As a young man, Freddie chose to pursue a seafaring dream of adventure and travel.  He embarked to fulfill his dream by joining the United States Navy in 1954.  During his initial tour of duty in the Navy, he sailed both the Eastern and Western Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, visiting many interesting and exotic places such as the Republic of the Philippines and Japan.  In 1957, at the completion of his initial naval tour of duty, Freddie returned home to Fort Worth and was employed at Harris Hospital until 1959. 

He rejoined the United States Navy in 1960 as a career sailor. From 1960 until his retirement from active naval service in 1984, he served his country and the naval service in an exemplary manner. He rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer while serving tours of military duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.  While at sea, he sailed aboard ships ranging from destroyers to mighty aircraft carriers such as the USS SARATOGA.  Ashore, he served aboard bases from San Diego, California to Mayport, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia. His naval career reached its peaked with two tours of duty in Vietnam where he served this nation with valor, courage, and selfless dedication; he was awarded over fifteen combat ribbons.

After retirement from naval service, Freddie took residence in Atlantic Beach, Florida. He continually strived to improve himself and his community through self-education and service to his community.  He completed numerous courses of instruction through the military, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, and the University of North Florida.  He also pursued a career in the public sector after retirement, where he was employed by the State of Florida as an Agriculture and Consumer Protection Petroleum Inspector for 27 years. After retiring from the state, he embraced his final career venture as a security officer at Episcopal School of Jacksonville in which he thoroughly enjoyed for 19 years. 

To know Freddie was to love Freddie. He was one of the coolest, friendliest, most humble and laid-back gentlemen you could ever meet. His swagger was effortless and his positive attitude was magnetic and unforgettable. He was never one to complained and he always looked and found the positive in any situation. He was a mentor to many and was never short of providing life advice and words of wisdom. Freddie was well known and loved by many in the Atlantic Beach community. He was a dedicated loving and wonderful husband, an awesome father, one-of-a-kind grandfather, great friend, avid gardener, and a loyal Dallas Cowboy fan who loved to watch Westerns, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune in his recliner.

Beyond his career positions, he was active in the Atlantic Beach community and participated in community organizations and initiatives to actively advocate, seek, and support positive change. Freddie was an active member and served as a treasurer and trustee at New Vision Christian Ministries of Atlantic Beach, Florida under the leadership of Pastor Randall McCrae. He was one of the founders and active members of the community organization The King and Queens Club for 20 years. Freddie was also a Shriners and Modern Free Mason member for over 40 years and held the top leadership position as Worshipful Master of the St., Paul Lodge, #104 for 5 years. 

He is survived by his life partner and devoted wife of 58 years, Ora Lee Thompson; children, Freddie “Lil Tom” Thompson, Jr., Sharon Moody, Freda Hodges (Greg) and Antonio Brown (Keia); grandchildren, Richard “Reese” Moody, Brittney Thompson, Latisha Moody, Shareece Moody, Gregory “Tre” Hodges, III and Elijah Hodges; great-grandchildren, Jaylin Moody, Richard “Ju Ju” Moody, Jr., Kassidy Randolph, Madison Moody, and Zahirah Moody; sister, Shirley Pruitt (Sam); sisters-in-law, Sarah Williams, Doris Coleman and Rosetta Dove (Freddie); brothers-in-law, Leonard Williams and Jesse Williams; devoted friends, Debra Knox, Davie Thomas, Sr., Elgie Brown, John Hill, Baron Greenwade, Randall McCrae, Patsy Hodges, Emanuel Brown, Darion Greene and Robert Gibbs; godchildren; Robert Thomas, II, Davie Thomas, Jr., Willie Thomas, Jamel Thomas, Vashawna Thomas, Alisa Cody, Allen Cody, and Desmond Demps; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Essie Mae Dewberry and Jewel Thompson; sisters, Gladys Thompson and Ara Mae Bendy; and brother, Richard Thompson.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Freddie Lee Thompson, Sr., please visit our floral store.