WOOSTER – Reverend Rufus Thompson, a beloved man of God who dedicated his life in service to the Lord and helping others, made his peaceful transition on April 28, 2016.   Reverend Thompson was born on November 4, 1928, in Tallahassee, Florida to Alberta and LeRoy Thompson.   He left Tallahassee   before graduating from school to begin working.   He served in the Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 and after his honorable discharge, served as a chauffeur for a Vice President of AT&T.   Reverend Thompson moved to Wooster, Ohio in 1948.
Upon establishing his residency in Wooster, he became an active member at Second Baptist Church in Wooster for 43 years.   While at Second Baptist Church he served as a Trustee and began studying theology at Trinity Bible College.   Reverend Thompson received a certificate for the Laity from the Wayne County Seminary conferred by the Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. He also holds a certificate in Bible Studies from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.
Reverend Thompson was called to pastor First Baptist Church of Wadsworth on April 27, 1988 where the Lord blessed his ministry through his faithful service of preaching the word, worshiping God, helping those in need, and saving souls for almost 28 years.
He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA, former Parks and Recreation member, and a former Boy Scouts Troop Leader.   He served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army in Wooster and was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.   Reverend Thompson was also a member of the Wadsworth Ministerial Association; retired Chaplain of the Wayne County Care Center; a past moderator of the Akron Sub-District to the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association; and a past Senior of the Colman Lodge Number 13 in Canton, Ohio.
Reverend Thompson was preceded in death by his mother Alberta Thompson, father Roy Thompson; daughter Mary Adams; sister Catherine Armstrong; sister Inel Thompson and brother Josh Thompson;   He leaves to cherish his loving memory: his wife, Lydia Thompson of Wooster; three daughters, Bonnie Mootry of Tinley Park, Illinois; Vickie Saunders of Columbus, Ohio; Sharon Toles of Fayettville, North Carolina; three sons, David Thompson (Gladys) of Bowie, Maryland; Rufus Lynn Thompson (Yonnette) of Lanham, Maryland; Timothy Thompson (Judy) of Wellington, Florida and sister-in-law Nora Jones of Wooster. In addition, five brothers and sisters including Daisy Johnson of Tallahassee, Florida; Katie Stewart of Detroit, Michigan; Cleo Thompson of Wooster, Ohio; LeRoy Thompson ( Laura) of Tallahassee, Florida; and Walter Thompson of Detroit Michigan.
Reverend Thompson has 14 grandchildren and 10 great grand-children: Lindiwe Saunders; Omari Saunders; Suzette Dowell (Paul); Kyra Adams; Carivia Holmes (Tony); Alease Toles; Marc Thompson; Marcellus Thompson; Delano Thompson; Lydia Ellis (Darryl); Spencer Neal; Hunter Thompson; Grace Thompson; Tim Toles; Christian Saunders; Olivia Newell; Amir Dowell; Braylen Dowell; Paul Dowell Jr.; Riley Neal; Kyran Adams; Carson Garrett; Madison Holmes; Morgan Holmes; a host of nieces and nephews, and devoted friends Jack and Emma Harris of Wooster.
Friends will be received at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 5-7:00 p.m. with a wake service from 7-8:00 p.m.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster  with Rev. Stephen Sullivan, Rev. Russell Burden, Rev. Darnell Woods and Rev. Rickey Brown officiating.   Burial will in Sherwood Memorial Gardens, Wooster.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I expect to pass through this World but once.   Any good therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellowman, let me do it now.   Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way Again!!         Stephen Grellet

Memorial Contributions
To the Charity of the Donor’s Choice

Service
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wooster United Methodist Church243 N. Market St., Wooster

Visitation
Friday, May 6, 2016 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home  with a wake service from 7-8:00 p.m.