C.B. (CLYDE BARNER) THOMPSON JR.

was born in a shack in the oil fields of southern Arkansas (Norphlet) but soon moved with his father, (Clyde Barner Sr.), mother, (Daisy Mae Furr Thompson) and sister, (Virginia) to North Little Rock (Rose City area) where the family opened a small grocery store with gas pumps out front on the then gravel road that is now called Broadway Ave./Hwy70. That store was added onto numerous times and eventually became known as C.B. Thompson’s Supermarket, a full service grocery store. As a boy growing up through the lean times of the Great Depression, C.B. learned the value of hard work and the importance of valuing God, family and relationships above all other things. After graduating from NLR High School in 1948, C.B. attended Central Baptist College which was located on the grounds of Camp Robinson at that time. He transferred to the University of Arkansas to finish his degree and was less than a year from graduating when he was called to serve his country during the Korean War. After enlisting in the Air Force, he spent most of the next three years in Washington State (Spokane and Neah Bay) running radar and playing basketball for his Air Force squadron team. Upon finishing his military service, C.B. returned to North Little Rock where he went to work in the family business and began dating Melba Lucille Dicus. They were married in 1954 and remained so until her death in 2017 (63 years).

In the late 1950’s C.B. took over full-time operation of the grocery business and slowly began to expand the business into selling guns and ammunition to local hunters. Over the next 20 years, C.B. Thompson’s Supermarket developed into a thriving hunting business with people coming from all over the state and beyond to purchase firearms, ammunition and all manner of hunting paraphilia. Eventually, Fort Thompson Sporting Goods was birthed from this endeavor (1986), and the name C.B. Thompson became a legend among hunters and outdoorsmen. Despite his business successes, C.B. remained down to earth & more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt moving about conversing with customers than being in an office. Those who knew him best know that he was always hyperactive (had to be moving) his entire life, extremely creative, witty and always kind and giving to a fault. He knew how to make other people feel special, and he lived to honor Christ and to help those who were in need. He was a mentor to numerous young men and a father figure to many young ladies. He showed them all how a Christian man should live and act in his everyday life.

In 1989, a fire destroyed C.B. Thompson’s Supermarket which allowed him to focus his business interests solely on Fort Thompson and take some much deserved time off. He and Melba drove to Alaska twice and all over the Western United States and Canada. As grandchildren were birthed into the family, he excitedly stepped into the role of a loving grandfather and impacted the next generation for God and good. His love for God, family and others and the he many life lessons he imparted are his greatest lasting legacy.

C.B is preceded in death by his parents, C.B Thompson Sr. and Daisy Furr Thompson, sister, Virginia Thompson, and wife, Melba Dicus Thompson. He is survived by his daughter, Joyce Ellen Carter (Phillip); son, Roy Wayne Thompson; grandsons, Andrew Hunter Thompson (Taylor), Samuel Barrett Thompson, Benjamin Cody Carter (Karen), John Caleb Carter (Hope); granddaughter, Haley Ruth Thompson (Hayden); and great-granddaughters, Briley Renee Thompson and Eliana Joy Carter.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 28 from 4-8 p.m. and a Celebration of his Life on Friday, May 29 at 1 p.m. Both will be held at Friendship Baptist Church in Sherwood, (10150 Brockington). State of AR Covid 19 directives: Face coverings required at all times. Maintain social distancing. No hugs or handshakes, please. Please visit www.smithsherwoodfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook.