Longview, TX- Shelby Dwayne Thompson, 76, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2021 while his three loving sons stood by his side. Funeral services for Shelby will be held on Monday, September 20, 2021 at 4 p.m. at Occupy Baptist Church #1. Rev. Brad Perkins and Rev. A.J. Trosclair will officiate.  Following his service, Shelby will be laid to rest in Occupy Cemetery #1 under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

Shelby's family will receive visitors on Monday, September 20, 2021 at Occupy Baptist Church #1 from 10 a.m. until time of service at 4 p.m.

Shelby was born on August 26, 1945 in Elizabeth, Louisiana to James and Larue Thompson. He was Baptist by faith and was a 1963 graduate of Pitkin High School. In 1968, several years after graduating from high school, Shelby enlisted in the United States Army where he would serve a two-year term, one of those years being in Vietnam. Shelby's duties while honorably serving were Crawl Tract Operation, Medical Corpsman, as well as many other duties. For his dedicated service, Shelby was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal. He was honorably discharged as a SP5 on June 5, 1970. Shelby was known for his love of old cars and repairing them to "mint" condition. Before his well-deserved retirement, he owned Michael's Auto Sales; he was a dynamite salesman and a friend to all.  Shelby will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Shelby's memory include his three sons, Steven Thompson (Lynn) , Brock Thompson (LaTona), and Chad Thompson, all of Longview, TX; the mother of his three boys, Cindy Thompson; one brother, Gilbert Thompson; five sisters, Ezell Brown, Belva Sue Richie, Darlene Richmond (Donald Wayne), Janie Ballard (Jamie) and Rhonda Gail O'Banion (Bill); five grandchildren, Chelsey Thompson Preston, Megan Thompson Hays, Steven Thompson Jr, Haven Hughey Thompson, and Braylon Thompson; two great -grandsons, Joshua Dylan Preston, Jr. and Rowan Hays; and many nieces and nephews.

Shelby is preceded in death by his parents, James and Larue Thompson; two brothers, L.J and Michael Thompson; three sisters, Martha Jean McMillan, Linda Thompson, and Elaine Thompson; and one grand-daughter, Brittany Michelle Thompson.

Words of comfort may be sent to Shelby's family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.