Edward Eugene “Gene” Thompson, 87, passed away on October 5, 2024 after a brief illness. Gene was born May 2, 1937 in Aberdeen, MS to the late Elmer Edward Thompson and Mary Kathleen Morgan Thompson.
Gene was raised in the community of Wren in Monroe County, Mississippi, graduating from Wren High School in 1954 and Itawamba Junior College in Fulton, MS in 1957. In 1960, Gene was hired by Allenberg Cotton Company on Memphis’ Cotton Row where he supported the cotton trading business and eventually became an office supervisor. On New Year’s Eve in 1960, Gene and Dot were married in Memphis. In the 1970’s and early 1980’s, Gene would often travel to the World Trade Center in New York City to hand deliver cotton contracts.
Gene worked at Allenberg for 40 years. After retirement in 2000, Gene liked to track the commodity markets daily, keeping spreadsheets and drawing graphs to predict profitable “puts” and “stops”. He was an avid reader of National Geographic Magazine, and was amazed by world geography and far away cultures. He also enjoyed tending to his beautiful lawn, and spending time with his grandchildren who call him “Grampy."
Gene is survived by his wife, Dorothy Cole Thompson; daughter MaryAnne Thompson Miller (Harry); grandsons Harry “Blair” Miller IV (Lauren) and Branden Cole Miller; great-granddaughter Adelyn Anne Miller, brother Gary Dale Thompson, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters Julia Nell Thompson Cox and Lora Jane Thompson Burns, and brother Roy Glenn Thompson.
Gene was a kind and gentle soul, and he will be terribly missed by all who knew him. His funeral service will be held on Friday, October 25, at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway. Visitation will be from 10 am to 11am, followed by a graveside service. The service will be officiated by Gene’s nephew, Rev. Harold Spraberry. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene’s son-in-law Harry Miller, grandson Blair Miller, grandson Branden Miller, brother Gary Thompson, and nephews Sean Thompson and Scott Cox.
Memories and condolences can be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bartlett-tn/edward-thompson-12024367. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
