Ralph "Tommy" Thompson, Jr.

ralph thompson, jr.
Ralph Lloyd "Tommy" Thompson, Jr., 72, of Asheville, died Tuesday, August 16, 2016. A native of Buncombe Co., he was a son of the late Ralph Lloyd Thompson, Sr., and Constance Harbin Thompson. Tommy was a 1962 graduate of AC Reynolds High School. He was the owner and operator of the AVL Dental Lab. An avid sportsman and race fan, Tommy served as the flagman at the Asheville Motor Speedway for thirty-seven years, and also served as the director of the Newport Speedway. Tommy also was a bluegrass musician, and was the lead singer and guitar player for Southern Crescent Bluegrass. He was a member of the Street-Tiques Car Club, and a former member of the West Buncombe Volunteer Fire Department. He will be remembered for his magnetic personality. Surviving are his wife, Renee Brown Thompson; daughters, Terri Godleski and husband Tom, Audra Thompson, Vicki Fox and husband Luke, and Tiffany Thompson; son, Anthony Thompson and wife Julie; grandchildren, Taylor Godleski and fiance Emily Rose, Bryan Godleski, Haley Thompson, Kaleb Thompson, and Aubrey Thompson; "honorary" grandchildren, Maya and Sofi Alexander; and sister, Cindy Thompson. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Patton Ave. chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with the Revs. Richard Bellflower and Kevin Garner officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In honor of Tommy, all musicians who knew him are invited to bring their instruments to play during the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children Critical Care Unit, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605.

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  1. Renee, Terri, Tom and the boys, Audra, and Vicki.
    We are so sorry for your loss. We will always treasure our memories of Tommy, especially those of Autumn camping at Tumbling Waters as well as music made anywhere. . Thoughts of Tommy’s sweetness, humor, love for his family, and joy in everybodies’ kids will warm our hearts forever.
    Doug, Ellie, Rob, and Claire McCormac

  2. Sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing. I had known him for many years. He will be missed. The family will be in our thoughts and prayers..

  3. Clyde and I are so sorry for your loss. Tommy was such a great man. Clyde’s very best friend. So many wonderful memories that will remain in our hearts. Truly an honor to have had Tommy as our friend. May his angel wings wrap around your shoulders and give you comfort. Praying for your family.

  4. Renee, Terrie, Tom and Family. We are so sorry for your loss. We have many happy memories of Tommy and will miss him greatly. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

  5. Tommy was a great guy, always loved seeing him st newport and him and my grandson making faces at each other when tommy worked in the booth sure going to miss those times

  6. I am fortunate to have known and spent time with Tommy. God bless all his family and friends during this time of grief.

  7. Renee, I know you are well aware of Roger and my feelings towards Tommy and you. It saddens me to
    know such a wonderful person has gone from our sight. I will always remember him as one of the sweetest person’s I ever met. I love you both!!

  8. Renee & family So Sorry To Hear about Tommy He Was A Great Man Our Thoughts And Prayers Will Be With You All Love You If You Need Anything We Will Be There For You

  9. Renee, My heart breaks for your broken heart! Such a loss of a great man! Love and prayers to you and the entire family. Tommy was a great man with love and acceptance of so many! Our neighborhood will never be the same again! We love you!

  10. Sad, sad day, Tommy watched me grow up, my memories, I will always treasure, one good man, has spread his wings. Go rest, Tommy, enjoy your momma and daddy, you will be missed here on earth. MAY GOD BLESS.

  11. Na and family, Tommy and I were friends, class mates, for 59 years. he will be truly missed ,we are now three of the four great friends, our thoughts and prayers are with you . GOD has a new angel, he’s with his mom and dad now.

    Mary Anne and Jimmy Gorman

  12. CINDY I AM SO SORRY TO hear about Tommy. I always remember seeing him at the racetrack when you and I would go.I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

  13. Renee and family,
    Jack and I are saddened by the loss of Tommy. He was such a joy to be around and had a way of making folks feel like they were old friends even if they’d just met. He made a mark on my heart as I’m sure he did to many other folks; he’s missed already. You will all be in our thoughts in the coming days and weeks and we’re sending love your way.

  14. Sean and I am so so sorry for your family’s loss! We are in Raleigh sending you all support and our heartfelt condolences.

  15. I’m so very sorry for your loss. He was truly an amazing man. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to call. We love you!
    Dennis and Kerbi Jennings

  16. I am very saddened to hear the loss of Tommy. He was like a 2nd dad to me growing up. I think I spent more time at the Thompson house than mine. I know that words can not help pain at this time but please know you guys are in my thought and prayers. Love all of you always!

  17. Terri, Tom & family, we were so sorry to hear about your Daddy. Please know that you are in our prayers & have been. May the Lord hold you close during this sorrowful time, as only He can. Love you all~ James, Debby, Jesse & Becky

  18. I am sorry to hear about Tommy, I was just thinking about him the other day and listening to his music online. Have some very good memories of him.
    You all will be in our thoughts and prayers

  19. I’m so sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing! I will keep your family in my Prayers
    during this most difficult time in your life. God has called him home to
    be at peace.

  20. Terri and Tom, we are so sorry to hear about your dad. We will keep your family in our prayers.

  21. To Renee and all of Tommy’s family: we are so saddened to hear of Tommy’s passing. However we know he is an angel up in heaven leading a gospel bluegrass group! What a wonderful mark he left on this earth! He was one of the four amigos, (school friends since teen years or before!). Our deepest sympathy to all of his family and friends! Bob and Sally Shope

  22. Na, I love you very much and will miss Tommy greatly! His sweet personality, smile, laugh, singing and guitar playing is a great loss to this community and all who loved him. Here if you ever need anything at all!

  23. hey Renee this is savannah from ace hardware I just wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss. if I can do anything for you don’t hesitate to call me anytime u can call my cell 828/329/8315. We will keep your family in our prayers.

  24. So sorry for your loss. Just seems like yesterday Dr. Holmes and I would be waiting on Tommy to bring a crown to be cemented and him just laughing and joking around. But the greatest memory of all was Tommy assisting me while I worked on Dr. Holmes teeth…he did a fine job.

  25. So saddened to hear about Tommy’s passing. He & my 1st cousin Ronnie Haynes went to Dental School together years ago plus have remained friends for years. I can’t remember ever seeing Tommy down but always laughing and so full of funny things to talk about. He will be greatly missed and my prayers are with you plus all of his family. I graduated with Shiela and Rick in 1965 from Reynolds High and Tommy was a senior my first year there. I also had a Uncle George Miller and a.brother Willard Stephenson who had raced many years on Amboy Rd. God be with you & bring you comfort My prayers are with you.

  26. Renee I am so sorry for your loss. Tommy was an awesome person, he has been a friend of my family since I was really little! We will be praying for you and your family.

  27. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Tommy was our lab man many years ago when I worked for Dr Bob Holmes and Dr Tom Morris. He and Dr Holmes taught me to snow ski. Tommy was always a joy to be around and a good friend to all. May God bless and comfort you all.

  28. Terri and family,…so sorry to hear of your loss. May God bestow peace and strength upon you and grant you a lifetime of treasured memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  29. Na, Larry and I are brokenhearted for you and your family. Tommy was a very special friend who will be missed tremendously. I’m so very happy that you found each other and had many years of happiness (though I wish there could have more). Please know we will always be here for you should you need anything. Prayers for you and the family as you go through these most difficult days ahead. Love, Gloria and Larry Barbare

  30. I have known Tommy forever through the Dental world but haven’t seen him for a long time. I remember him as a super nice guy and enjoyed knowing him. I am sorry for your loss and please know you and your family are in my prayers

  31. Renee and family, Thinking of you during this time, and saying a prayer that you will be comforted by God up above and in the knowledge that friends care and want to help you in anyway possible.
    Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

  32. I am sorry to hear about Tommy. He was very nice to me and I enjoyed his company. Thoughts and prayers are with all.

  33. Terri. What a small world it is. I knew your grandmother and grandfather, Connie and Lloyd. I was born and raised in Biltmore and lived,probably a block down the street from where Tommy grew up in his early childhood. Tommy was closer to my middle sister’s age, but our families knew each other well.
    I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I pray that God will give you the peace and strength to face the difficult days ahead.
    With deepest sympathy
    Betty Ponder (UNCA retiree)

  34. My late husband Terry spoke kindly of your husband and father many times. Your family has my deepest condolences. So sorry for your loss.

  35. Terry and Family, may God comfort you all and bless you with lots of memories of your Dad. I am praying for you all

  36. Terri, I just learned of your Father’s death today. John and I are so sorry for your loss. Know that friends and loved ones are praying for you during this difficult time. Virginia wanted to express her condolences also.


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