Dr. Ronald H. Ron Thompson, Sr., passed away suddenly on the morning of October 24th, 2013. Visitation will be held at Kilpatrick Funeral Home on Sunday from 5 pm to 8 pm. The funeral service will be at Temple Baptist Church on Monday at 3 pm, with Rev. Dale Oden presiding, with interment following at Pine Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston, LA. Adopted as an infant from the Memphis Children's Home by Roy and Marie Thompson, of Monroe, LA, Ron found his biological parents when he was 50 years old. His mother was Ada Lee Holmes of Tylertown, MS, and his father was Leonard Williams, also of Tylertown. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy, and his children: Bart Karina Thompson of Greenville, SC; Rusty Anne Thompson of Ruston, LA; Robin Duncan Copeland, of Keller, TX; and Charlie Paige Thompson, of Ft. Mills, SC. He is also survived by his brothers: Mike Williams, George Williams, Steve Williams, and Bear Williams; and sisters Fran Hamilton and Martha Gallegos. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Ron received his BS from LA Tech in 1961, his MS from LA Tech in 1968, and his Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry from the University of Arkansas in 1973. As a professor at LA Tech for over 30 years, he served as Director of Nuclear Engineering, was awarded numerous research grants, had 32 publications, and was twice named as Outstanding Professor at LA Tech. He also established his own consulting business, with activities ranging from radiation safety to providing expert legal opinions in cases involving chemistry or radiation. Temple Baptist was Ron's church home. He faithfully taught Sunday School for high school boys for many years, as well as the Older Men's Adult class more recently. Above all, “Dr. T” loved people – all kinds of people. He especially loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his students. He was a consummate teacher in the classroom and also in his life, where he led by example. He went through life open-handed, cheerful, and contagiously optimistic.His technical brilliance largely served to enable him to give generously to others. He will be greatly missed by all. Pallbearers will be Bart Thompson, Rusty Thompson, Charlie Thompson, Duncan Copeland, Andy Thompson, and Riley Thompson. Honorary Pall Bearers are the men of his Sunday School class. Memorials may be made by making a check payable to Uitenhage Baptist Church, and sending to P.O. Box 939, Uitenhage 6230, South Africa. This ministry focuses on ministering to South African youth and was especially close to Ron's heart. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com