Major Lee Thompson

Chester Mr. Major Lee Thompson, Jr., 74, died Thursday, March 19, 2015, at Pruitt Healthcare in Rock Hill.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 23, 2015 at Chester Freedom Ministries with Rev. Steve Bishop officiating.Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.The family will receive friends from 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM on Monday at Chester Freedom Ministries. Born December 13, 1940 in Chester, SC, Mr. Thompson was a son of the late Major Lee Thompson, Sr. and Maude Castles Thompson.He was a graduate of Chester High School class of 1959 and the University of South Carolina class of 1970. Mr. Thompson was a veteran of the first U.S. Nuclear Navy and served aboard the USS Longbeach, the first nuclear cruiser.He was a retired insurance broker with Kanawha Insurance Company.Mr. Thompson was a member of Chester Freedom Ministries. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bennie Smith Thompson; one son, Christopher Thompson (Becky) of Chester, SC; two daughters, Lee T. Hunter (Guy) of Mt. Airy, NC and Liza T. McGarity (Trey) of Ft. Mill, SC; eight grandchildren, Kristen Roberts, Drew Thompson, chad Thompson, Wes Hunter, Olivia Hunter, Jay Hunter, Abigail Wissinger, and Benjamin Wissinger; and two great-grandchildren, Clayton and Lilly Roberts..Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by a sister, Bente Butler. Online condolences may bemade to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.