Dr. John L. Thompson, 81 died Thursday February 18, 2016 at Hospice Wendover. Born in Elkin on March 26, 1934, he was the son of the late John L. Thompson and Fannie Moore Thompson. Dr. Thompson grew up on a family tobacco farm and attended Dobson Elementary and Dobson High Schools graduating as Valedictorian of his 1952 Senior Class. He attended Wake Forest at Wake Forest graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1956. His was the last class to graduate on the old campus. At Wake Forest College he was a member of Sigma Pi social fraternity and received election to membership in many scholastic fraternities and societies including Phi Beta Kappa. Having been accepted at both Duke Medical School and Bowman Gray School of Medicine, he attended the latter for a short time before deciding to transfer to University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. In 1960 he graduated first in his class from dental school and was elected to membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honorary dental society. serving his military commitment as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corps, he entered a residency program in Orthodontics in 1962 at Baylor University College of Dentistry. He received his Masters Degree in Dentistry from Baylor in spring 1964, graduating first in his class, and entered private practice in Shelby in the fall of 1964. He became an active member of the Isothermal Dental Society, the oldest local dental society in North Carolina and also became a member of the North Carolina Dental Association, and the American Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Thompson served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association of Orthodontists and served one term as president of the North Carolina Association of Professions. During his tenure as president of the latter organization, he was involved in lobbying the North Carolina State Legislature to permit professions to incorporate, establishing a School of Veterinary Medicine at N. C. State University, and establishing the N. C. Research Triangle Park. He was also active in the First Baptist Church in Shelby serving as deacon and one of the original founders of the Co-Ed Sunday School Class. Dr. Thompson enjoyed sailing, boating and tractors, but most importantly, spending time with his children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Linda McSwain Thompson.

Dr. Thompson is survived by a son, Chuck Thompson of Shelby; a daughter, Sally Baird and husband Mike of the home; a sister and brother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs Fred Stalkup of Dallas Texas; four grandchildren, Mackinzey, Caleb, Ally, and Troy Baird of the home. and three nieces, Laura Ferguson, Dr. Jennifer Stalkup and Karen Price.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday February 20, 2016 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church with Rev. Tony Tench officiating. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park with full Military Honors. The family will receive friends on Friday February 19, 2016 at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm.

Memorials can be made to: Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150 or First Baptist Church 120, N Lafayette Street Shelby NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Dr. Thompson

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com