Verne Monroe Thompson

Verne Monroe Thompson, 73, died March 12, 2015, at his home near Morehead City.

Verne’s wishes were to be cremated and to have a gathering for his family and friends. The Memorial service will be at 11:00 am on March 21st at Munden Funeral Home, Morehead City. Interment of his ashes will be in the Ward family cemetery with his parents.

Verne was the only son of the late James Monroe and Sue Hanner Thompson of Seven Springs, N. C., and grandson of the late J. D. and Winifred Ward Thompson. His deep passions for reading, ideas, and working with tools and gadgets began as a child on the farm, often with unintended results such as his adventure with matches in their woods when his cousins came to visit. He graduated high school from BF Grady at 16 years of age and started college at North Carolina State University, but was more interested in installing a record player in his car and looking for girls than going to State. Thereafter, he served in the U.S. Army for three years, then attended and graduated from Atlantic Christian (Barton) College.

After college, he and his wife, Carolyn, lived in the Raleigh area where Verne worked for IBM as an Accountant. His love for gadgets and tools won out, so he opened a Yamaha shop in Durham for some years. As with many, the recession of the 70’s doomed his business. His marriage ended, and Verne took off on his Yamaha on a year-long odyssey to the West Coast. Upon his return, he moved to Raleigh and worked for the state of North Carolina. In the late 80’s, Verne was smitten by Frances Dreps, a woman he claimed punctured his tire as an excuse to meet him. Together they shared adventures working with his backhoe and dump trucks, traveling, cruising on various boats, and enjoying life at their "Crik House" and with her children and extended families. Verne retired from Cost Accounting with NCDHR, and then worked four years with Capital Consulting. Jobs were a necessity that enabled him to buy more books, to collect more tools, boats, and toys, all of which were duly catalogued, recorded in notebooks, and lovingly used for all manner of endeavors.

In the mid 2000’s, Verne sold his house and rolling stock in Raleigh and moved to the coast, where he replenished his rolling stock and made great friends with the Crystal Coast Tea Party Patriots, sharing his vast knowledge of all things political, and serving as Webmaster Extraordinaire. He also served as the Bogue Voting Precinct Co-Chair. When in HVAC certification classes, Verne met Jesus Ramirez, Jr., who became a protégé and fast friend. He also began tinkering as a chef, modifying recipes and various cookers as only Verne could.

In 2014, a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes began a decline in his health which ended with the diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. True to his nature, Verne examined, parsed, took his own counsel, and fought the disease in his own way. When he called, Frances came and - for once he said - did exactly as he wished. They enjoyed the rarest of opportunities - to enjoy again the love that originally brought them together and supported them until his hand let go of hers.

Verne is survived by cousins Frances Ward Black Holland, R. D. Stroud, Jack Ward, Janet Ward Black, Bill Bollmer, Pam Beaver, Barbie Whitner, Emory Sadler, John Hanner and Jack Hanner. He leaves behind not his only but his best, last love, Frances Dreps of the home, her sons Chris and Matt Dreps and their families, Kurt and Irene Becker, Jesus Ramirez, Jr. and family, Juli Cosgrove, Bob Cavanaugh, Ken Lang, and Gene Whitman.

Verne would not want flowers, but would tell you all to give to a favorite cause, take a friend to lunch, or spend it on your health.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are being handled by Munden Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC