Bruce Leonard Thompson Sr. was born on Aug. 22, 1952 in Bogalusa to Marie Thompson and was raised by the Rev. Dr. Aaron J. Thompson Sr. and Etta E. Thompson. Bruce departed this life on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018 in Atlanta, Ga.

Bruce joined the Greater Ebenezer B.C. at a young age. Bruce was united with Rose Caron Thompson on May 20, 1978. Three children were born during this union. Bruce graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1970 after attending Wesley Ray High School in Angie, from 1967-1969, and was a member of the Bogalusa High School state championship team for the year of 1969-1970. He continued his football career at the University of Connecticut. Bruce graduated from the University of Connecticut and worked for the Pratt and Whitney Company in Massachusetts.

Bruce leaves to cherish his life: his wife, Rosanne Caron Thompson; three children, Lela T (Shawn) Sandiford Sr., Bruce Leonard Thompson Jr., and Michael Thompson; seven grandchildren, Shawn Sandiford Jr., Shawn Dalrymple, Alyssa Dalrymple, George Sandiford, Serenity Thompson, Ariyah Sandiford and Ember Thompson; one aunt, Theresa (Normel) Keller; and one uncle, James Thompson; six brothers, Clark Chaney, the Rev. Ernest (Carol) Johnson, the Rev. Aaron (Brenda) Thompson Jr., Donald (Shirley) Thompson Sr., Aundre Thompson Sr. and William Timothy (Veronda) Thompson; four sisters, Catherine Harris, Virgie (Jerome) Jackson, Wylette (Joe) Mosley and Cathy T. Johnson.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents: Marie Thompson Dee, Etta Evans Thompson, and the Rev. Dr. Aaron J. Thompson Sr.; his grandparents, the Rev. Samuel Thompson and Ethel Cunningham Thompson; two brothers, Danny Thompson and David Thompson; two sisters, Sharon Thompson and Ethel Bedford; four uncles, William H. Thompson, Charles Thompson Sr., Woodrow Thompson and Robert Thompson; and three aunts, Cora Lee Thompson, Melissa Thompson Bedford and Lessie Mae Thompson Keller.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bogalusa at 1 p.m. with Elder Christopher Matthews, pastor, officiating and the Rev. Aaron H. Thompson Jr., eulogist.

Interment will be in the Bogalusa Cemetery.

Crain and Sons Funeral Home of Bogalusa is in charge of arrangements.

Sign the guestbook online at www.crainandsons.com.