John Wayne Thompson, "JWT", 74, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Monday morning, Dec. 24, 2018, in Longview. He was born on Sept. 1, 1944, in Center, TX to the late Lois Etoile Joplin Thompson and John Elvin Thompson. John Wayne had one brother, Jerry Lynn Thompson, who preceded him in death. As a child, he lived in Timpson, TX, moving with his family to Center when he was in the seventh grade. He graduated from Center High School with the class of 1963, and attended Panola College. John Wayne earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He taught and coached multiple sports in Tenaha and Hemphill before leaving the coaching profession. John Wayne moved his family to Carthage in 1977, where he owned and operated Carthage Muffler & Tire, Carthage Towing, and the Carthage Country Club as well as many other businesses. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed hunting. He loved attending his grandchildren's events, as well as supporting the Carthage Bulldogs, Tenaha Tigers, and Texas Longhorn Baseball.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kay Hull Thompson; five children, John Todd Thompson and fiancé Donna Venette of Forney, Jodi Ellis and husband Robert of Nacogdoches, Jill Lupton and husband Patrick of Tyler, Robert Wayne Thompson and wife Heather of Carthage, and Sydney Wright and husband Tyler of Tyler; son-at-heart, Chris Adams and wife Roxie of Carthage; grandchildren, Regan Thompson, Tanner Thompson, Aubrie Ellis, Morgan Ellis, Duke Ellis, Caroline Walton, Claire Walton, Chloe Walton, Cooper Lupton, Zoey Thompson, Riley Thompson, and Truett Wright; great-grandchildren, Jax Marquis, Corbin Stracener, and Sadie Easter; and nephews, Patrick and Sean Thompson. Numerous cousins and many friends also survive Mr. Thompson.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Dale Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Gordon Dupree, Robert Ellis, Duke Ellis, Patrick Lupton, Tyler Wright, Tanner Thompson, Brandon Love and Chris Adams.  Honorary Pallbearers are Donald Bates, R.D. Green, Richard Ballenger, Sleepy Reynolds, Sam Strong, Ralph Wilson, Freddy Noles and Wallace Peterson.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.