G. Rudolph Thompson

Gerald Rudolph Thompson took his final journey to his new home on Sunday, February 16, 2020 surrounded by family.

Rudolph was  the only boy of five children born to Roy and Zonie Thompson on March 25, 1932 in Louisville, MS.   He graduated from Pascagoula High School class of 1950. A young lady, Patricia Barnes caught his eye and he knew she was the one. They married in 1957 with their 63rd anniversary being February 15, 2020, just one day before his death. Together, Rudolph and Pat raised five children, Sandy, Tony, Tracie, Ben and Jana.

Rudolph attended Pearl River Junior College in 1950-1953 and earned one-half of his scholarship working as the Athletic Manager of the college.  He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in General Education and attended Jackson County Junior College in 1969-1971 earning an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.  He then went on to University of Southern Mississippi working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Once he discovered he had a heart for public service, he went on to work for the Pascagoula Police Department for 21 years, retiring in 1977 as Major of the Criminal Investigations Division.  During that time he also worked fror the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Pascagoula Police Department as a radio dispatcher and desk sergeant. After retiring from the Police Department, he worked for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office from 1977 to 1980. During his many years of service, he accomplished several years of specialized training as follows:

University of Southern Mississippi - 1954 (2-week law enforcement school)

Mississippi Highway Patrol Recruit Training - 1957

Advanced Law Enforcement School - 1959

General Law Enforcement School - 1965

Fingerprint Classification School - 1965

University of Georgia - Advanced Fingerprint School - 1966

U.S. Army - Bomb Detection School - 1967

FBI National Academy - 1968

Police Management Class - 1968

Jones County Junior College - Police Records Class - 1969

Motor Vehicle Theft Class - 1969

Firearms Instructor Training Class - 1969

Intoximeter School - 1974

Police Records Workshop - 1975

Photography was a large part of his daily duties working as a police detective and he aquired the skill of a professional photographer which he developed into a business, Rudolph’s Photograpy.  He and Pat took many baby pictures, school pictures, weddings and several other special events along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.   

He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Gautier. He leaves a legacy of integrity and honor to his family he will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Edna Blough and Doris Acord and a beloved granddaughter, Karen Nicole Thompson.

Devoted until the end, he is survived by his wife, Patricia Barnes Thompson of Gautier, MS; children, Sandy Thompson  (Doyle Lang) of Phoenix, AZ, Tony Thompson (Silvana) of Houston, TX, Tracie Thompson Smith (Joey) of Lucedale, MS, Ben Thompson (Tammy ) of Ocean Springs, MS, and Jana Thompson Watford (Greg) of Woodbine, GA.; two sisters, Barbara Butterworth and Bettie Killingsworth both of Gautier, MS; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank his oldest granddaughter, Amber Broome, for her attentive and loving care that she gave throughout his illness. They would also like to thank Singing River Hospice of Light, specifically Curtis Culpepper, Betty Jones, Latoya Butler, Teresa Hanna, Aaron Teer, and Michael Gray for their gentle and diligent care during his last months. And last, but certainly not least, Tammy Killingsworth of O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Gautier on Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 11-1 with Memorial Service to follow at 1 PM.  Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. Condolences may be expressed online at www.obryantokeefe.com.

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