Maurice Ott Thompson, 90, of Searcy died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004.
Born in Dexter, Mo. on March 2, 1913 to Homer M. Thompson and Jennie F. Thompson. His father moved the family to Searcy in 1916 to establish a produce business, primarily poultry and eggs.
Maurice was educated in the Searcy public schools and attended College of the Ozarks at Clarksville and Arkansas College at Batesville, and for two years kept books for the family business. He went to work for B F Goodrich Co. as budget department manager, opening a branch in Jackson, Tenn., where he spent the next three years. He then returned to Searcy to work in the rapidly expanding family business, now including a baby chick hatchery, pecan shelling plant and scrap metals division.
For many years, he was involved in and devoted much time to the city during its industrial growth, serving as president in 1940 of the city's first Young Business Men's Association, was a board member of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the war time tire rationing board and one of the founders and 27-year "OLD MONARCH" member of the Lions Club. He was a member of the Searcy Airport Commission for 19 years and chairman when the modern airport was built. He was a member of the Planning Commission, participation in the zoning of the city, also, a member of the board of adjustment later. He was a board member and one of the founders of the Searcy Country Club.
Maurice served on the board of directors of the First Security Bank for 30 years, and also as a director of the Bank of Griffithville, was a member of the National Baby Chick Association and the National Pecan Shellers Association. He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church, a deacon, trustee, and past chairman of the board. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II.
Maurice was an outdoor person. He enjoyed playing golf, duck hunting, fishing and boating. He was the founder of the Searcy Fishing Club and for many years enjoyed planning fishing trips for his friends to Canada, the Gulf of Mexico, and Arkansas lakes.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; two sons, Frank M. Thompson and Jim S. Thompson; one brother, Tom G. Thompson; three grandsons, Steve Thompson, Todd Thompson and Jeff Thompson; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at the First Christian Church in Searcy. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Powell Funeral Home in Searcy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the First Christian Church.
Arrangements are by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy.