Allen Francis Thompson

Allen Francis Thompson, 69, passed away peacefully on Sept. 17, 2018, just 2 years to the day that his mother, Thelma Thompson Stidworthy passed. Born Feb. 1, 1949 in St. Augustine, Fla., to the late Frank and Thelma Thompson, Al was a kind man that was always willing to help others. Al proudly served his country in the United States Navy on the USS Henry Clay Submarine from 1969-1975. Al retired from Proctor & Gamble and most recently was employed as a Project Manager with Walmart. He was an accomplished runner who completed nearly 50 marathons and qualified and ran 15 consecutive Boston Marathons. He loved riding his Harley, Xavier Musketeers Basketball, camping, watching sports, and visiting breweries to taste different craft beers. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Shofner of Belmont, N.C.; children, Aaron Thompson and wife, Jill of San Diego, Calif., Tracy Thompson Abernathy and husband, Paul of Belmont, N.C., James Thompson and wife, Aubryn of Belmont, N.C., and Taylor Patterson of Belmont, N.C.; four grandchildren, Kian, Cade, Owen and Austin; half-sisters, Katie Stanley and partner, Connie Devine of Murphy, N.C., and Alice Cook and husband, Hobie of Bonita Springs, Fla.; as well as the mother of his children, Renee Ann Thompson of Ukiah, Calif. Allen was preceded in death by his father, mother and step-father, Clyde Stidworthy. A private family service will be held at Carothers Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 12, followed by a Celebration of Life beginning at 7 p.m. at the Catawba Mills Clubhouse, 573 Catawba St., Belmont, N.C. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Al's memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) "Al's Allies" PurpleStrides Team by visiting www.purplestride.org. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com. The staff at Carothers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Thompson family.