WILMINGTON — Gary Edward Thompson, born December 14, 1939, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 16, 2024. Gary was surrounded by his family and loved ones in the days and hours preceding his death.
Gary, a.k.a Rooster, was actively involved in his communities and athletics throughout his life. He was a member of the Rockville Jaycees, past President of the I-270 basketball league, and coach of numerous youth baseball, softball, and basketball teams for his children. He was an accomplished athlete himself playing basketball, tennis, baseball and softball well into his 50’s, as well as an avid golfer responsible for a hole-in-one in the early 21st century. Gary was also a member of various poker groups, the first of which commenced in 1968 with the original surviving members playing their last game together in 2019, and Gary playing his last game with his Porters Neck group on July 8.
Gary was a proud member of the Richard Montgomery High School graduation class of 1957, and while his education ended there, his life in academia would continue far beyond 1957. Gary’s professional accomplishments were quite impressive especially given his humble beginnings. He was awarded and recognized for his many achievements at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD as a grants management officer. After retiring from NIH, he embarked on a new adventure relocating his family to Sudbury, MA to accept a role as the Dean of Research Compliance at Harvard Medical School.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ginny, children Todd of Terrell, TX, Eric of Ocean City, MD, Cam of Annapolis, MD, Bethany (Robby) of Burgaw, NC, and his brothers, Ronnie of Zephyrhills, FL and Mark of Tampa, FL. After 50 plus years of parenting, “Thunder” was blessed with three grandsons, Teddy, Crawford and Maddox whom he cherished deeply. He is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Marie, son Troy, brother Wayne and the mother of his two eldest sons, Beverly Reed.
A celebration of his life will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Burgaw United Methodist Church, 110 East Bridgers Street Burgaw, NC 28425.
To carry on his legacy the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Shriners, or Children’s Inn. These were some of the favorite charities Gary loved to support.
Online condolences may be sent here.
