Lawrence A. Thompson

Entered into Eternal Life on Saturday, July 12, 2025, age 93.

Visitation to be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Northside Church of God, 4858 North 19th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53209, from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 AM. Entombment Wisconsin Memorial Park Cemetery.

“How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.

When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house,

Your children like olive plants around your table.

Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.”

– From Psalm 128 (NASB)

Lawrence Albert Thompson, the first-born of Albert and Verna Thompson, was born in Chicago, IL on March 11, 1932. He was followed by his siblings: Sherman, Shirley, Walter, Richard, and Cedric.

As a very young person, he decided to follow Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, the best decision of his life. This decision was greatly made as a result of his maternal grandmother, Sallie Taylor’s prayers, was instrumental in shaping Lawrence’s spiritual life. They would go to church together. She had Lawrence read the Bible to her. Regular Bible reading is a habit he continued through the years.

Eventually, Lawrence became an usher. This would be a life-changing experience. As an usher in Chicago, Lawrence saw the love of his life, Glenda Foggs. They married on June 27, 1959 and had two daughters, Renee and Cheryl. Bro and Sis. Thompson recently celebrated their 66^th wedding anniversary. To God be the glory!

As a young man, Lawrence learned carpentry skills from his journeyman carpenter father. After serving as a sergeant medic in the Korean War, Lawrence returned to Chicago and earned his teaching degree in Industrial Arts. He received numerous decorations for his service in the military!

He taught in the Chicago and Milwaukee Public School systems for approximately 33 years. During those years, Bro. Thompson brought his students to the Friday night “Youth Fellowship” at Northside Church of God. Furthermore, he owned and managed his rental properties for over 40 years, and he brought several of his tenants to church.

Lawrence and Glenda came to Wisconsin in 1964 and attended Northside Church of God on 6^th and Burleigh. At the time, there was no pastor. Soon, Rev. Sandy Johnson became the pastor of this very small church. The church later moved to 19^th and Stark. While at Northside, Bro. Thompson served in numerous capacities, such as a Sunday School teacher, a youth leader, a chairperson, and a deacon for roughly 30 years.

Bro. Thompson also served the National Association of the Church of God as an officer. One of his primary responsibilities was to make sure the housing on the West Middlesex, PA campgrounds was up to par.

For a number of years, he served as a missionary to Haiti, where he used his carpentry skills. Bro. Thompson was also a chaplain for the Milwaukee County Jail. He led Bible studies for the inmates. Bro. and Sis. Thompson also led the church’s marriage ministry. However, one of his beloved roles was as the “Offertory Cheerleader” during Sunday morning services at Northside.

Preceding him in death were Sallie Taylor (grandmother), Albert Thompson (father), Verna Thompson (mother), and siblings – Sherman, Shirley, Walter, Richard, and Cedric. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 66 years, Glenda Thompson, his children, Renee (Thompson) Johnson, Cheryl (Phillip) Crosby, grandchildren, James Ariel Johnson, David Lawrence Crosby, and Kevin Vernan Crosby, along with a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Indeed, Lawrence feared the Lord as described in Psalm 128, and the Lord blessed his life and family!

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Lawrence A. Thompson, please visit our Tribute Store.