Wesley Thompson
Wesley Charles Thompson, 93, of Union City went home to be with his Savior on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Magnolia Ridge in Union City.
Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home. Brother Melvin Poe will officiate, and his dear friend, Mr. Bobby James, will present the eulogy. Entombment with full military rites will follow in Obion County Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the hour of services Wednesday.
Wesley was born June 21, 1933, in Hickman, Ky., the son of the late Andrew and Nettie Thompson. He married Joyce Elliott on Aug. 20, 1955. She preceded him in death on May 2, 2023.
Wesley demonstrated a great love for his country from a very young age. Because of this, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for 22 years before retiring in 1973 with the rank of Master Sergeant. During his military career, Wesley was stationed in several states and countries, including Korea, Turkey, Okinawa and Thailand. Among his many duties was receiving important weapons and supplies, which he then distributed to other field bases in secret locations.
Almost 67 years after his service, Wesley was honored to receive the Korean Ambassador Peace Award. He believed it was a privilege to serve his nation, and he was proud to have been born in America. An essential part of his daily attire was his Korean War veteran’s cap and the United States flag tie he loved wearing on patriotic holidays.
After returning for his military service, Wesley began his second career as assistant manager of Union City Homestead. He friendly demeanor and willingness to help others made him a favorite among customers and fellow employees until his retirement in 1998.
Throughout his life, Wesley exemplified the spiritual gifts of service, teaching and giving. Whether he was singing in the choir, leading a Sunday School class, visiting the unchurched or the sick, serving as a deacon, sharing his faith or working in the food closet, he always served faithfully and with a joyful spirit. His service to the Lord can best be described in Colossians 3:23, which says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
For Wesley, living a daily life following Jesus rather than conforming to the world meant that he refused to allow any unwholesome talk to come from his mouth. This was a priority in his Christian walk. He and his precious wife, Joyce, were actively involved in Calvary Baptist Church for many years. His sweet smile will be greatly missed by his church family.
A passionate gardener, Wesley, along with his wife, delighted in maintaining a manicured lawn filled with a variety of roses and other flowers. Onlookers traveling Pleasant Valley Road would often stop and ask for a tour of their immaculate backyard.
Wesley was also an avid Kentucky basketball fan and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
To many, he was known as Brother Wesley, but to his seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, he was simply Papaw. His grandchildren always knew that fun awaited them at his house. Whether coloring in a coloring book, playing with Matchbox cars in the dirt or wearing a Santa hat and throwing presents to the recipients, Papaw was attentive to his grandchildren and deeply valued his relationship with each one.
His house was not only entertaining — it was filled with love. Whether he was grilling custom hot dogs with cheese and his famous shish kabobs or attending countless school functions and sporting events, Wesley made sure each grandchild felt important and special. His loved ones will miss his heartfelt prayers before every meal and will always carry forward the legacy he left regarding the importance of family.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Mike Holman; his son and daughter-in-law, Buddy and Tena Thompson; and his son, Eddie Thompson, all of Union City.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by four brothers; and four sisters.
The Messenger