Lumberton, MS
Funeral Home
Hawthorn Funeral Home
Visitation
Tuesday Evening, 5-9 pm at Hathorn Funeral Home.
Service
2:00 pm, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Hathorn Funeral Home, Columbia
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten.” In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service, which our military men and women have given to their country and our state, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard memorializing its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on June 12, 2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant First Class Harry O. “Soldier” Thompson, Jr, age 78, Lumberton, MS, who served in the 890th Engineer Battalion has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.
It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.
A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly, and live so freely.
You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.
Another great soldier has gone home—“Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life.”
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Harry O. “Soldier” Thompson, Jr. 78 of Lumberton, who passed away, Friday, June 12, 2026. Bro. Bo Reid will officiate the services. Interment will be at Graves Creek Church Cemetery in Columbia.
The Thompson family will receive guests on Tuesday Evening from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Hathorn Funeral Home.
Harry was a man defined by his unwavering dedication to his country and an immense love for his family. He proudly served on active duty in the Air Force for four years, followed by two years in the Reserves, and ultimately dedicated another 25 years to The Army National Guard—a remarkable military career built on honor and commitment. When he wasn’t in uniform, Harry was a true outdoorsman at heart who found his peace on the water with a fishing rod in hand. He was also a voracious reader with a deep passion for the Old West, often found lost in the pages of a gritty western novel or captivated by a classic western film on the screen. Above all else, Harry’s greatest joy was his family. He was a deeply devoted family man who absolutely doted on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, leaving behind a warm legacy of love, strength, and cherished memories.
He was preceded in death by his wife Irma Jean Moree Thompson;
His Parents, Harry O. Thompson, Sr. and Gertrude Wright Thompson; Sister, Patricia Bradford; Grandchildren, David Eric Neal, Tripp Swayze; Son-in-law, Carlton Leo Swayze, Jr.
He was survived by his Daughters, Mona Swayze of Columbia, Tracey Walters of Purvis; Grandchildren, Christopher Neal of Columbia, Nichole Neal of Purvis, Christina Swayze of Lumberton, Connor Swayze of Lumberton; Great Grandchildren, Will Neal of Foxworth, Sophia Neal of Purvis, Chelsea Neal of Purvis. Brother, Cecil Thompson (Sharon) of Lumberton.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Butler, Don Smith, Austin Moree, Larue Moree.