Thomas Samuel " Sammy" Thompson, Jr., age 73, passed away at home on March 6, 2021.

Sammy was born in Gastonia, NC on January 26, 1948 to the late Thomas S. Thompson, Sr. and Frances Glenn Thompson. He graduated from Hunter Huss High School in 1966 and Catawba Valley Technical Institute in 1969 with a degree in Agriculture Business. In 1970 he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for 12 years in the South Carolina National Guard.

Having grown up on the family farm, his love for farming was instilled at a young age. In 1971 he joined Max and Robert Hamrick in the Hamrick Brothers farming operation. In 1976 they formed Hamrick Brothers, Inc. Together they operated one of the largest row crop operations in the county, farming 1500 acres of cotton, wheat and soybeans.

For over 50 years, Sammy lived and breathed farming. He was a true caretaker of God's Earth. As well as being a member of the Friendship Masonic Lodge in Boiling Springs he served on committees and boards as member and president for Farm Bureau and Farm Service Agency.

Sammy is survived by his sister Libby Thompson of Charlotte, brothers Glenn Thompson and wife Pam of Jesup, GA.; Bill Thompson and his wife Annie of Lawndale; nephews Will Thompson of Lawndale, Andy and Robbie Thompson of Brunswick, GA.; nieces Erin Winchester of Belmont and April Hall of Statesboro, GA. Sammy is also survived by his friend and business partner Max Hamrick and many special friends who were like family to him.

Sammy was an extremely generous man, who required no recognition. A simple man of few words, but when he spoke, you listened. Always giving sound advice. A man who was morally intact.

Memorial service will be held in the picnic area of Boiling Springs Baptist Church, 307 S. Main St., Shelby, NC 28152 on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11:00am with Dr. Carroll Page officiating. Visitation will be immediately afterwards.

Those in attendance are encouraged to bring seating with them if desired. If preferred you may remain in your vehicle and listen to a live broadcast of the service by tuning to 105.5 FM however you must be in the parking lot of the church to be within the range of the broadcast signal.

It is requested that those attending wear face masks and practice social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 and Boiling Springs Baptist Church, P.O. Box 917, Boiling Springs, NC 28017.

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

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com