How do you reach the grand age of 100 and remain a happy, energetic and pleasant person? Lonnie Thompson, who just turned 100 in October last year, offers this advice: “maintain a positive attitude, work hard, be kind and marry the love of your life.”
Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Thompson later moved with his family to Gulfport as a teenager. He grew up in a comfortable environment, with his father owning a wholesale grocery business. It was there Thompson learned the value of hard work.
After graduating from Gulfport High School, Thompson joined the Merchant Marines, serving during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He recalls, “I thought I would like the Merchant Marines because I remember sitting on my parents’ front porch in Gulfport, watching the sailing ships. The reflection of the moon on the water was very pretty.”
During World War II, Thompson’s ship traveled from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Long Island, New York, and then he sailed to Italy and England. One vivid memory stands out: while in a convoy of ships heading up the English coast, Thompson’s ship zigzagged to avoid German torpedoes. On one fateful day, part of the convoy veered off, and Thompson and his crew watched as a German submarine destroyed the ship. “It was humbling to see our buddies’ lives end so abruptly,” Thompson said. He also remembers how his ship missed D-Day by just a few hours, since they were rerouted back to New York.
After the war, Thompson attended Mississippi State University, earning a degree in business administration. He moved to Jackson, Mississippi, for three years, where he worked as an assistant operations manager for a wholesale drug company. Eventually, Thompson returned to Hattiesburg to help his father with a typewriter company.
It was there that a friend of his mother introduced him to Pattie, a teacher. She asked him to meet her in the principal’s office after a PTA meeting. Thompson joked, “I was very familiar with that office—I had been there so often as a student.” Pattie had curly red hair and bright blue eyes. Their first date was at the movies. “I was halfway in love with her from the first date!” Thompson recalled. They were married in 1955 and are still married after 70 years, as their anniversary was on January 29. They have two sons, Larry and Tom, and three grandchildren.
Recently, Thompson and his son, Tom, shared some of his life experiences:
What is your work background?
I worked in banking for approximately 20 years. While I was in banking, we lived in various cities, including Winter Park, Florida, and both Greenville and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. We moved to Gainesville in 1971, when I was asked to work at Charter Bank.
His son Tom remembers it was a big deal when Thompson joined Charter Bank: “They gave him an Oldsmobile 88 to drive, we joined the Country Club, and he bought a boat.” After a successful career, Thompson retired as bank president in 1977.
Following my retirement, I opened a Western Auto in Alachua, then later expanded into High Springs. We sold clothing, TVs, furniture and appliances. Our sons Larry and Tom worked there too.
Tom adds, “When dad retired, he asked customers to make their payments at the local grocery store. Everybody who owed money eventually paid it, even though dad’s store was closed.”
We were very involved in the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville and were co-chairs of the auxiliary volunteers at Alachua General Hospital. When my wife and I were in our 80’s, we went on a mission/service trip to Brazil to help build a church.
“I’ve known Lonnie and his wife Pattie since I joined First United Methodist Church, where they were mainstays. Pattie played the piano for Sunday school, and her bright red hair stood out in the choir. Lonnie is a true Southern gentleman. He is soft-spoken and still deeply in love with his wife.” – Mary Kilgour, resident
When did you move to Oak Hammock?
We moved to Oak Hammock in 2009, because Pattie’s sister and brother-in-law lived here. They said they had many friends, enjoyed all the activities, and we would too.
His son Tom remembers, “for years, mom and dad took Sunday afternoon drives across Paynes Prairie. They’d visit antique stores and get ice cream in Micanopy. Dad drove the car almost until his 100th birthday. He was proud to be a ‘safe driver,’ as he won a safe driver competition when he was younger.”
What do you enjoy about living at Oak Hammock?
My wife and I have always liked living at Oak Hammock. We’ve been here for 16 years. We’ve been able to maintain friendships and feel we receive good service.
In the future, I want to continue to participate in the activities in the Oak Room and the Crossroads area, including concerts. For example, I enjoyed hearing Janet Janke speak last week. I like having breakfast served in my room. John, one of the cooks, takes care of me and gives me chocolate cake. I like pecan pie too! Most importantly, I make sure to visit Pattie every day.
“My dad spent a lot of his time taking care of his family. He passed that mantra on to his kids.” – Tom Thompson, son
“The best advice he gave me was to live by the golden rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ He is a very good, moral, Christian man.” – Larry Thompson, son