Francis Albert Thompson, 96, a resident of New Castle, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Hickory Creek of New Castle. He was born on August 24, 1926 in Watseka, Illinois, a son of the late Albert A. and Nora R (Hunter) Thompson.
He was enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. As a Navy Veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater on the Light Cruiser USS Miami as a Radarman. The USS Miami was one of the ships that escorted the Battleship USS Missouri into Tokyo Bay to receive on board the surrendering of Japan. He watched the treaty signing from the USS Miami. He also was called to active duty during the Korean conflict and served on board the aircraft carrier USS Block Island.
He attended Central Radio Schools in Kansas City, Missouri to study Broadcast Engineering. From 1949 to 1962 he was Chief Engineer of the local radio station WCTW. He was a Ham Radio operator with call letters W9ML. After that, he established a Motorola radio repair shop, Thompson Communications, which he owned and operated for nearly 50 years.
He was a member of the North 14th Street Church of Christ. In recent years, he loved getting a Wendy’s chicken sandwich for lunch and then having a drive around Westwood Park. He enjoyed watching Cincinnati Reds baseball games.
He is survived by his son Terrill Thompson (wife Nina), daughters, Tamara “Tammy” Alcorn and Tanya Fribley (husband Bill), grandchildren, Trey Alcorn, Eric Alcorn, Rachel Wood, Brandon Fribley, Amanda Cornelius, Noah Thompson and Zoe Thompson; great grandsons Evan and Ryan; brothers Earl Thompson and Edward Thompson; sisters Marylou Flowers and Kathleen Thompson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, son Timothy, sisters Florence Thompson and Norma Jean Fowler and brother Charles Thompson.
Services will be at 4:00 PM Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Mike Kirby officiating. Visitation is 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday, prior to the service. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, January 23, 2023 at Hillsboro Cemetery with Military Rights conducted by a contingent of the US Navy, American Legion and VFW. Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice. You may express condolences, share a memory of Francis and view the live stream of the service at www.hinsey-brown.com