David Lawrence Thompson

David Lawrence Thompson passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, Va. He was born on November 17, 1954, to the late Florence “Molly” and Samuel Thompson. He was the oldest of their two sons and enjoyed being a big brother to Bruce his whole life. David graduated from Roanoke County Occupational School in 1975. He worked for ARC and Goodwill until his retirement in 2017. David was a lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church and loved his Sunday School class very much. He was a big music fan and enjoyed listening to "oldies" and gospel music. He himself had a beautiful voice and sang in the church choir for years. Over the years David enjoyed taking trips with the seniors from Bethel, as well as participating in the "Unlimited" program at Fellowship Community Church. David loved sports and was always ready to talk about any and every sport, no matter the season. In his younger years he was an avid bowler and enjoyed the community of his bowling league. David never met a stranger and even if you met him one time you were a friend. He is survived by his brother, Gerald "Bruce" Thompson and wife, Judy; nieces, Jill Gladwell and husband, Dustin, and Kelci Noble and husband, Josiah; great niece, Scout Noble; and great nephew, Owen Gladwell; as well as countless friends who were just Like family to him. David had a big personality that will be missed by many.
A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, with Pastor Hilton Jeffreys officiating. He will be laid to rest privately at the Daleville Cemetery in Daleville, VA.
Friends may visit with the family from 2 p.m. until the hour of the service at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.