Charles Raymond Thompson, Jr.

Charles Raymond Thompson Jr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 24, 2024. 

Charles was born in Asheville, NC on August 5, 1937. He attended Lee Edward’s High School in Asheville, graduating in 1955 and then completed his Business Degree in Marketing from the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1959. 

After his education, Charles worked at Sears Corp for ten years followed by the Nestle Corp. for eight years before starting his own real estate company, Ray Thompson Reality in Durham. 

Charles was married to Carolyn Ray from Durham, for over 50 years. He always said she was the prettiest girl in every room. Charles was a very dedicated father to his son, Chuck, who had multiple disabilities. There was a period of time when Charles took lunch to his son over 400 days in a row. Charles was a Godly man. He attended Olive Branch Baptist Church in Durham with his family for over 50 years. He enjoyed listening to the sermons of Pastors from all over the country. During the later part of his life Charles enjoyed giving money to different Charities and Church related groups. He always said, "You can't out give God" and firmly believed his financial success was a blessing. 

Charles loved many genres of music, especially Classical music. He played the trumpet in High School where he started his own dance band. During his Senior Year in High School he was invited and played in the Rose Bowl Parade. He and three other high school students trekked across the country driving all the way to California. In college he played the trumpet in the University of North Carolina marching band. 

Charles was preceded in death by his Father, Charles Raymond Thompson Sr. in 1987, his Mother, Lydia Waters Thompson in 2006, his Wife, Carolyn Ray Thompson in 2021 and his Son, Charles (Chuck) Raymond Thompson III, in 2023. 

Charles is survived by his beloved family; his Niece, Lydia Lockett Bals and Husband John his Nephew, Harold Wilson and Wife Chris, his Nephew, Lee Lambert and Kim Burrow, his Nephew, Bill Lambert and Wife Debbie, his Grand Niece, Katherine Threlkeld, his Grand Nephew, Ian Wilson his Grand Niece, Destiny Lambert, his Grand Nephew, Noah Lambert, his Grand Niece Tara Lambert Richardson, his Grand Niece, Cassie Lambert Tran, his Grand Niece, Kendall Lambert Vilardo. 

Funeral Services will be held at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Durham on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to begin at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse or the Durham Rescue Mission in Charles' Memory.