Lawler "Tommy" N. Thompson

Lawler N. Thompson, known to family and friends as “Tommy,” passed away on December 28, 2018 at the age of 94 years. As a native of Birmingham, Alabama, Tommy is a graduate of Phillips High School in central Birmingham and attended Auburn University graduating in 1948. He was preceded in death by his father, Eldridge W. Thompson, mother, Mattie Neighbors Thompson, and brothers, Thomas V. Thompson and Eldridge W. Thompson. Tommy is survived by his wife of 35 years, Helen S. (Sopko) Thompson of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

In 1941, Tommy attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Alabama—later renamed Auburn University. In 1942, Tommy enlisted in the U.S. Army assigned to the Field Artillery arm as an Artillery Tech and served 3 years, including 4 months in Northern France during World War II. While serving in WWII, Corporal Thompson earned the Good Conduct Medal, American Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with 1 bronze star.

After graduating in 1948, Tommy was hired by Westinghouse Electric and relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While working at Westinghouse, Tommy was part of a group of engineers selected to develop a nuclear submarine for the U.S. Navy. After 22 years at Westinghouse, he began work at Pennsylvania Electric until he and Helen retired to New Bern, North Carolina.

Tommy especially enjoyed being a charter member of the “Bo Club” that met Monday through Friday mornings at Bojangles restaurant—solving the world’s problems. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tommy can be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church (building fund) 616 Broad Street New Bern North Carolina 28560.

Memorial Service will be held Sunday January 6th, 2019 at 2 PM at Tabernacle Baptist Church. The family will be receiving friends following the service. Online condolences can be made to www.cottenfhc.com.