Birth Date: 01/01/1971
Deceased Date: 05/30/2024
Jeffrey Bickham Thompson, after a long courageous fight with cancer, Jeff passed away quietly and peacefully at home. His unwavering determination and can-do attitude, along with his faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, carried him through some really hard times. He never once said, why me.
Jeff was born January 1st, 1971 in Tampa, FL. His family moved to Smithfield when he was 6 years old. He attended Wilson’s Mills Elementary, Smithfield Junior High and Smithfield-Selma Senior High, where he graduated with honors in 1989. He attended Johnston Technical Institute, where he again graduated with honors. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with an Electronics Engineering Degree. He worked for IBM at Research Triangle Park for 11 years. He did not enjoy the corporate way of life and resigned to pursue his dream of being self-employed in his own computer business. He moved back home to Smithfield and set up Thompsons Computer Services. Jeff was a quiet, private person who was devoted to his family. He was devastated when he lost his mom in 2018. He had many repeat customers in his computer business because of the way he treated his customers and because he did not overcharge. In the 15 years he was in business, he never raised his prices. Jeff was a member of the Central Johnston County Rotary Club. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and was a Rotarian of the Year. He volunteered for any project that the Rotary was involved in, including ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraiser, the Rotary’s golf tournament, and the annual race at the high school.
Jeff was a firm believer in his 2nd Amendments Rights. He was a concealed carry advocate. He had many guns and went to the shooting range frequently with his nephew Brandon. He was a conservative and was so disappointed and disgusted at the radical turn to the left that our country has taken in the past few years. Jeff also enjoyed shooting pool with his friends, Lee Herrling, Rich Mota and Joe Santos at the Cleveland Draft House in Clayton.
Jeff attended Sharon Baptist Church for many years. He was active with the youth group and went as a chaperone on many field trips. They went to Kings Dominion, snow skiing in West Virginia and the Ft. Caswell, NC. He was also a member of the church softball team. Kids at the church loved Jeff and they were always hanging around him.
After Jeff moved back to Smithfield, he learned to play golf and took golf trips with his dad and friends to Maggie Valley. They also played in Superball Tourneys. He played often at the Reedy Creek Golf Course.
Jeff was diagnosed with cancer in July 2022. He had surgery on his spine, radiation treatments, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In spite of several setbacks that he had to endure, he always had a positive attitude and never complained. He will be missed by his family and friends because he was truly a special person. May he rest in peace with his mom in heaven.
Jeff is preceded in death by his mom, Mariann Sparkman Thompson. He is survived by his dad, James Bickham Thompson; a brother, Gregory Alan Thompson; an uncle, Lee Thompson of Lexington, KY and a nephew, Brandon Lee Thompson.
There will be no services at this time.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
