Johnny Lynn Thompson, Sr., born at Cross Roads on February 6, 1936 left this world Thursday, June 17, 2022. Johnny graduated Guernsey High School and later Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas. He met and married the love of his life, LaJuan Jones in 1957, while at Southern State. After marriage they moved to Texas to begin his coaching and teaching career. He received his Master’s degree from Sam Houston University at Huntsville, Texas.
Johnny began coaching at Wallis, Texas and then moved to Saratoga, Texas. Johnny Lynn, II and Sandra Kay, the couple’s first two children were born while living there. The next job was at Paul Pewitt in Omaha, Texas staying there seven years where son Stanley Dwight joined the family in 1964. After leaving Omaha, he coached at Troup, Texas where he built the team that won the Texas State Championship. He finished his coaching career at West Rusk High School before becoming a principal.
Johnny was well-known as a hard worker all of his life. He loved getting his hands dirty working in the garden, building fences, working on farm implements, lawn mowers or anything that gave him satisfaction.
Hunting quail and duck, fishing, and playing basketball were among  his favorite sports. Later on, he developed a love for snow skiing, fishing for large catfish, and running the family farm.
Johnny loved his family and God, and you could find all five of them in church every Sunday morning.
Preceding Johnny in death are his parents, Johnie and Nina Thompson, his brother Bill, and son-in-law Steve Siler.
Surviving are his wife, LaJuan of 64 years; sister, Mary McPherson of Cross Roads; son Johnny (Liz); daughter Sandra Kay; son Stan (Sharyla). Grandchildren, Austin Siler (Sarah), Nick Siler, Clay Thompson (Lainey), Bryan Thompson, Kaley Thompson Tucker (Curt), Brady Thompson (Layten). Great-grandchildren are Boone, Houston, and Jones Siler; Karson and Korbin Thompson; and Tessa Tucker.
Visitation is scheduled for 5:00-7:00 pm Sunday, June 19, 2022 at Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home in Hope, Arkansas.
A second visitation will be from 10:00 - 11:00 am Monday, June 20, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Hope, Arkansas. The funeral service will follow at 11:00am with Reverend Daniel Bramlett and Bro. Mike Trickett officiating.
Burial will follow at Westmoreland Cemetery in Cross Roads, Arkansas, under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home. Pallbearers are his six grandsons Austin, Nick, Clay, Bryan, Brady, and Curt.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Westmoreland Cemetery.
We also invite you to express your public condolences at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com or private Letters of Love at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com/page/letters-of-love.