Donnie Morgan Thompson

DONNIE MORGAN THOMPSON was born April 30,1950. He was the fourth child of the late George Wynder Thompson and the late Ira Belle Vinson Thompson in Cedar Grove, NC. He transitioned his life on April 10, 2023, at the Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Donnie was a 1968 graduate of Central High School in Hillsborough, NC. He was chosen as one of the 10 outstanding seniors in that class.  Upon graduation, he worked at Burlington Industries as a Quality Control Inspector and took courses at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro until he was drafted into the Armed Forces.

He entered the Air Force, and he was assigned to Travis AFB in California, where he served as a Medical Administrative Specialist and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Following an honorable discharge, he established residence in Oakland, California. He furthered his education at Laney College in Oakland and at the University of California, Berkeley. 

He was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In March 2000, he returned home to North Carolina from California.  He said to his dad, “I’ve tried every god and everything else, and none of it worked for me, so I am coming home to the God that you and Mom serve.”   The family was glad he returned home, just like the prodigal son. 

Donnie was very generous. He started a benevolent fund in honor of his mother, The Ira Belle Vinson Thompson Memorial Fund.  It has provided support in areas where he knew his mom would have lent a helping hand. 

He was also a brilliant writer and communicator in speech, emails, manuscripts and film.  He enjoyed conversing via emails, interchanging thoughts and opinions, and debating ideas. He also loved all types of sports -  basketball, football, tennis and golf.

Donnie is survived by his eight siblings: Dr. Iris T. Chapman (William) of Mebane, NC; George C. Thompson (Karen) of Goshen, IN; Rufus Thompson (Dora) of Greensboro, NC; Allie T. Bynum (Wayne) of Durham, NC; Rosa T. McAfee (Reginald) of Charlotte, NC; Stanley Thompson (DeAnna) of Elon, NC; Loretta T. Wynder (Junius) of Raleigh, NC; and Adrainne R. Thompson of Katy, TX; two aunts, Rotha Vinson Canaday (Pernell) of Durham, NC; Evelyn Vinson of Greensboro, NC; one uncle, Vance Thompson of Burlington, NC; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding Donnie in his transition were his father, George W. Thompson;  his mother, Ira Belle Thompson; his oldest niece, Marcia Dianna Paige; and many other cherished family members. 

In Lieu of Flowers – Please contribute to:

Durham VA Specified Voluntary Services 

508 Fulton Street - Durham, NC 27705

Make check payable to Durham VA Memo Line: Hospice – In Memory of Donnie Thompson

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