Nelson Wamsley Thompson

Arden – Nelson Wamsley Thompson Jr, 89, died Friday, July 9, 2010 at the Elizabeth House of Hendersonville. Mr. Thomspon was born in Berkeley, California to the late Sara Rose Hurst and Nelson Wamsley Thompson. He was also preceded by his wife, Lena I. Thompson who passed away in 1989; a daughter, Katherine Irene Erickson and several brothers and sisters. Mr. Thompson was a very positive and encouraging person. He always believed the best about any situation. He was a member of the Army Air Force and was a photographer in World War II. He loved photography and took many memorable pictures in his personal life as well. He and his wife also started an organization in California called the Homes for Life Foundation which provides housing for the mentally ill. He is survived by a son, Don Thompson and his wife, Judy Rhodes of Arden; a daughter, Mary Thompson of Seattle; a son, Craig Thompson of California; a sister, Sister Josepha Rose of Los Gatos, California; ten grandchildren, John Goodmanson, Stephanie Stahelin, Sarah Thompson, Kesha Thompson, Melissa Thompson, Alan Erickson, Rachel Barnes, Daniel Schultz, David Schultz and William Schultz and three great-grandchildren, William Goodmanson, Claire Barnes and Eloise Schultz. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 11:00 am at Living Savior Lutheran Church in Arden with the Reverend John Qualmann officiating. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service on Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:00 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Homes for Life Foundation, 8939 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 460, Los Angeles, California 90045 or to Living Savior Lutheran Church, 301 Overlook Road, Asheville, NC 28803.