Franklin "Frank" Thompson

Sgt. First Class Franklin Maurice Thompson, 62, of Franklin, passed away Friday, July 21, 2017 at Mission St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville, NC surrounded by his loving wife of 35 years, Mary Rowland Thompson, his children, family and friends. Born in Charlotte, NC, he was the son of Marie Fonde of Cleveland, TN and the late John Franklin Thompson. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Donna R. Worthington; step-father, Doug Fonde; maternal grandparents, Foster and Dolly Rodden and paternal grandparents, Mark and Belle Thompson. A long time Franklin resident and local business owner of John Boy Exterminating, Frank was a successful entrepreneur. He was a proud US Army veteran and honorably served during the Vietnam and Iraq wars as well as retired from the US Army National Guard. Frank was a loving husband, father and friend who will be greatly missed. In addition to his mother and wife, he is survived by his daughter, Leah Schrader and husband Ryan of Franklin; his son, Franklin Chase Thompson of the home; three granddaughters, Haylynn, Adyson and Skyler Schrader; mother-in law, Betty Panther Rowland of Franklin; brother, Gary Thompson and his wife Sarah of Murphy, NC; sister, Annette Curtis and husband Cale of Murphy, NC; sisters and brothers-in law, Henry and Georgett Gordon of Seguin, TX, Danny and Diane Rowland of Milledgeville, GA, Teresa Aaron of Murphy, NC, Allen and Ann Rowland of Tunnel Hill, GA, Larry and DJ Williams of Cleveland, TN, Jon and Martha Bradford of Dalton, GA and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to give special recognition to several groups and families who have been like family over the years; Paul Duvall, Mike Shaw, his military family of the Troop A 278th Armored Calvary Regiment, Cleveland, TN, the 210th Military Police Company, BJ Thompson, the Haven Family, the Freimuth Family, Josh Drake and family, Carnell Moore and family, all former business and banking associates and his bowling family of Franklin Lanes. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 25th at Mt. Hope Baptist Church. Rev. Don Bates will officiate with full military rites conducted by the National Guard Honor Guard. Burial will be held at Rowland Hills Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Peachtree Community, Marble, NC. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Monday, July 24th at Macon Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to Macon Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses, PO Box 1175, Franklin, NC 28744. Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com.