Ronnie Joe Thompson, 77, of Malvern, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, in Hot Springs.
He was born October 4, 1947, in Pine Bluff.
Ronnie graduated from Woodlawn High School and attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
He received an honorable discharge from the Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. Ronnie entertained his shipmates with letters from home detailing rural life.
Ronnie worked for Entergy for 27 years before retiring due to an auto accident. A supervisor said that if the alarm goes off at the Nuclear Plant and that Ronnie Joe is on the job site he knows it is in good hands. He was excellent at his job.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, time on the water, watching car races, especially NASCAR, and visiting with friends and family. Ronnie also enjoyed playing pool and was very good, winning various events in the state of Arkansas. He drove race cars winning in various areas of the State. He took his expertise with drag racing and his love of the water and excelled in drag boat racing. He won many events within the southern region. Ronnie was a great mechanic and driver.
Ronnie was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, a fraternal and service organization dedicated to caring for children, seniors and communities.
He was a member of the Malvern Moose Lodge #2365, the Razorback Moose Legion #181 and the Arkansas Moose Association. He was a past Governor of the Malvern Lodge #2365.
Ronnie was recognized for his service by being presented the Fellowship Degree of Honor; the official regalia is a French-blue blazer with the Fellowship logo. The regalia is symbolic of the character and strength men provide to the Moose Fraternal structure and helping guide others on a leadership path.
He made many friends in the organization and was very proud of his French-blue blazer.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Hague Thompson; parents Betty Jo Spakes Thompson and Joe Ralph Thompson; grandparents, Robert Stephen Thompson and Lila May Vinson Thompson, Dona Bell Phelps Spakes and William Ray Spakes. He was a member of Prosperity United Methodist Church at Pansy, AR.
Ronnie leaves behind a sister, Robbie Ann Thompson McKinney (Sewell) of Memphis, TN; a son, Joe Shannon Thompson (April) of Gallatin, TN; step-sons, David and Doug Corter of the Malvern area; a great-granddaughter, Juliette Elizabeth Thompson Karrels of Panama City, FL; step-granddaughter, Josie Campbell of Murfreesboro, TN; and special niece and caregiver, Rebecca (Becky) Corley.
He leaves his special 4-legged fur babies, Buddy and Hank.
The family would like to thank the many doctors and staff at National Park Medical Center, Hot Springs, AR and other caregivers for the excellent care and treatment received.
