Thomas "Gene" Thompson

Thomas Gene Thompson, 71, of Roanoke, was welcomed into the gates of Heaven on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Raymond and Mary Josie Woolridge.

He is survived by his adoring wife 51 years, Cindy Thompson; daughters, Tina Hadden (David), Kimberly Yule (Thomas), and Amanda Kelly (Troy); grandchildren, Abigail, Jayden, Ellora, Ajanta, Kirsten, Deanna, and Caden; and special brother-in-law, Robert Creasy.

Gene was so passionate about his family, playing softball, running heavy equipment, and loved watching deer. He never met a stranger and jumped into telling stories to anyone who would listen. Gene never missed an opportunity to love on his wife and loved to gross out the kids with his inappropriate talks about him and Cindy. He was a devoted deacon at two churches in the Roanoke Valley. He would always give the long holiday prayer and enjoyed participating in all church activities. He loved to play softball and used to be on several teams at the same time. To know and love Gene was like having an instant best friend, who would always reach out just to check on you and didn’t need anything but a chat. He loved decorating for Christmas and watching his Paw Patrol. He was most proud of his kids and grandkids and was always their cheerleader. If you asked Gene about his family he would tell you, I never knew what a family was until I met Cindy, and she gave me the most beautiful family.

The family will have a Visitation on Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 5:00 - 8:00pm at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Rd., Roanoke, VA 24019. A Chapel Service will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 1:00pm at Simpson Funeral Home (Peters Creek), officiated by Pastor Mark Washington, and then processing to Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.