Lee Roy Thompson (1927 - 2004)

Born 14 Jun 1927 in Cabell, West Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Died 18 Jan 2004 at age 76 in Wayne, West Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Karen Thompson [send private message]

Biography

Leroy Thompson was born June 14, 1927 in Cabell County, West Virginia. He was the son of Alpheus Tary Thompson (1876-1938) and Verna Lewis Thompson (1897-1956). He married Betty Marlene Ruley, daughter of Francis Clayton Ruley and Mary Lauretta McCallister Ruley. He passed away January 18, 2004 in Wayne, Wayne County, West Virginia at a Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He is buried by his wife and his father at Hatfield Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia.

Leroy suffered from severe asthma into his late twenties. At one point, his doctor warned him he needed to live in a drier climated if he wanted to live. Already married, he traveled by train to Mexico to seek employment. He posted several letters to his wife on his westward trip, writing of how he missed her. Before reaching his final destination, he suffered a severe asthma attack and had to be offloaded the train and hospitalized in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once discharged, he chose to return home to West Virginia rather than to continue onward.

Leroy was employed by Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, later renamed CSX. He worked at the railway yard in Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia. In 1974 he was promoted to yard foreman. In fall of that year, he developed a brain aneurysm. Following a long recovery, his ability to continue working was affected and he retired from his job.

Leroy built a tiny home next to his mother's home on Cyrus Creek soon after he and Betty married. It was two rooms with an outhouse. After their first child was born, Leroy and Betty purchased the Peyton farm behind the Cyrus Creek Baptist Church. At first they lived in the original home, while Leroy built a new home for his growing family. He and his brother, Cline Lewis, spent many weekends clearing the property with a two-man saw and raised Hereford cattle.

Leroy was a Christian and a member of Cyrus Creek Baptist Church where he served as deacon. In 1974 Leroy had a brain aneurysm. This affected his memory with some speech difficulty with word recall.

1930 United States Census, West Virginia, Cabell County, Barboursville District, Town of Barboursville, Sheet 4B, HN 83, FN 90, enumerated 05 April 1930. College Avenue. Alpheus T. Thompson, Head, owns home valued 5000, male, white, 54, married, WV, WV, WV, contractor @ Road and Bridge Work. Verna Thompson, Wife, female, white, 33, married, WV, OH, OH. Odell Thompson, Son, male, white, 6, WV, WV, WV. Leroy Thompson, Son, male, white, 2 6/12, WV, WV, WV.

1940 United States Census, West Virginia, Cabell County, McComas Magisterial District, ED 6-77, Sheet 6 A, HN 95. Negro Hill Road. Verna Thompson, owns home valued $1500, Head, female, white, 42 Widow, obtained 6th grade education, WV. Odell Thompson, Son, male, white, 17, obtained 8th grade education, WV, truck driver @ agriculture trucking company . Leroy Thompson, Son, male, white, 12, attending school, completed 4th grade, WV. Faye Thompson, Daughter, female, white, 6, WV.

1950 United States Census, West Virginia, Cabell County, Barboursville Magisterial District, ED 6-6, Sheet 74, enumerated 14 April 1950. Verna Thompson, Head, white, female, 52, widow, WV, makes fan - electrical appliances. Leroy Thompson, Son, white, male, 22, WV. Fay G Thompson, Daughter, white, female, 16, WV.

OBITUARY Leroy Thompson, 76, went to be with God Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel, Barboursville, by the Rev. Richard Black. Burial in Hatfield Cemetery. He was born June 14, 1927, in Cabell County, the son of the late Alfus Tary and Verna Lewis Thompson. His paternal grandparents were John Tyree and Emily Susan Hinchman Thompson. His maternal grandparents were John Wesley and Mary Griffin Stewart Lewis. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Marlene Ruley Thompson; a grandson Daniel Lee Hager II; a brother, Odell Thompson; a half-sister, Oleta Thompson Taylor and two half brothers Cline Lewis and Marco Thompson. Surviving are his children and their spouses, ....; one sister, Gladys Faye Fields of Ona; grandchildren, ...... Leroy grew up and raised his family in Barboursville, W.Va., where he worked at the Barboursville C&O/CSX shop. From Milton, he died after a long stay in Wayne Continuous Care Center, Wayne, W.Va. He was formerly a deacon at Cyrus Creek Baptist Church and a member of Lewis Memorial Baptist Church.

Find A Grave. Leroy Thompson BIRTH 14 Jun 1927 DEATH 18 Jan 2004 (aged 76) BURIAL Hatfield Cemetery, Cabell County, West Virginia, USA MEMORIAL ID 93645798

His name is recorded as Lee Roy Thompson on his birth certificate. On all other records his name is written as Leroy Thompson.

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Sources

1. ↑ Personal recollection of events witnessed by K Thompson as remembered 19 Jan 2021.

Census Records, Obituary, Find A Grave