Mr. Oliver Daniel Thompson, Jr.

April 4, 1943 - August 10, 2020

Oliver Daniel Thompson, Jr. affectionately known as "Tom" passed away Monday, August 10, 2020 at the age of 77 years. He was born on April 4, 1943 in Newnan, GA. He was the second of three children born to Oliver Daniel Thompson Sr. and Katie Ruth Freeman Thompson. Oliver matriculated through the Georgia Public School System graduating from Central High School. Oliver accepted Christ at an early age and faithfully served under the United Methodist Church and then the African Methodist Episcopal Church as a member of the Steward Board, Cup of Water Committee, Usher Board #2, Security Team, Tuesday Night Bible Study Group, Sunday School, Class Leader, Male Chorus and Bethel Voices until his death. Oliver was raised to be an independent, self-sufficient man and because he knew that his parents were unable to send him and his sister to college, at the age of 17, Oliver opted to join the United States Air Force and served until he was Honorably Discharged in 1964. While serving, Oliver’s life would be forever changed when his good friend Jimmie Jackson invited him to come home for the weekend and introduced him to who would become the love of his life, Gloria Dean Kendrick. After a brief courtship, Oliver and Gloria were united in holy matrimony and remained in a loving and committed marriage for over 56 years. Through this marriage, God blessed them with five God-fearing children; Deidra Lynn, Anthony Duane, Darryl Vaughn, Angela Marie and Jeffrey Duran. Utilizing the Refrigeration Specialist certification he achieved in the Airforce, Oliver gained employment with Clark Service Station, Montgomery Ward and later with Central Foundry Malleable Iron GM – UAW Local 455 where he worked until his retirement in 2011. A servant by heart, after retirement Oliver took up one of his favorite past-times and worked as the community handy-man servicing churches, restaurants and many of the residents in the city of Saginaw; always with a smile and a pleasant attitude and customer friendly rates. Oliver was also an avid fisherman, a gardener and loved to travel with his wife and children. He was a proud Papa and love to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Oliver treated everyone with kindness and respect and demanded that of his children and that they also love and fear the Lord. His teachings extended beyond his house by the example he set forth that spilled over to his seed. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife Gloria Dean Thompson of 56 years; five children, Deidra Thompson of Smyrna, GA, Anthony (Ellen) Thompson of Hampton, VA, Darryl (Deborah) Thompson of Newnan, GA, Angela (James) Dorsey of Woodbury, MN and Jeffrey (Paula) Thompson of Lithonia, GA; 15 grandchildren, Maeria Danielle, Antoinette (Ernest), Anthony (Porchia) Matthew, Olivia, Corey, Charne’, Julianna, Alexis, Andrea, Brittany, Denetria (Kevin) and Courtney; seven great-grandchildren; god-children, Lisa (Fred) Suttles, Rodney Harris, Marla Lowery and Joseph Lowery Jr; one brother, Kelvin (Ella) Thompson of Newnan, GA; sister-in-law, Earlene Barnes of Saginaw, MI; brothers-in-law, Richard (Sharon) Smith and Ray Carl Smith, all of Saginaw; special friends, Joseph (Leah) Lowery, Odail Thorns, Calvin (Delores) Williams, Katherine Atwater, Nolan (Earlene) Smithers, Jimmie O. Jackson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Oliver was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver D. and Katie Ruth Thompson; sister, Mary Thompson Roberts; mother and father-in-law Juanita and Richard Smith; sisters-in-law, Carolyn L. Smith, Catherine L. (LC) Peoples and brother-in-law, Lawrence Smith. Special thanks to the doctors and staff of Covenant Cooper, Covenant Harrison, Heartland Hospice, Ruth and Joe of National Home Health and Willie Irvin, Jr. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 535 Cathay Street, Saginaw, MI 48601. Pastor Dennis Laffoon will officiate with interment in Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan 48442. Friends may call at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Monday from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Due to Covid-19 the service will be live streamed.