Leonard Harold Thompson

Captain Harold Thompson, Portsmouth Fire Dept Retired, died on Monday, January 10, 2022. Harold was born in Four Oaks, NC to Leonard and Alice Temple Thompson. Harold was an Army Air Corps Veteran of WWII serving post War 1945-1947. He hired onto the Portsmouth Fire Dept in 1956. In 1960 he was transferred into the Fire Prevention Bureau where he worked the last 25 years of his career. In the early 1970’s he was one of the first sworn Municipal Fire Marshalls in the State. After retiring in 1985 Harold worked as in Inspector with the Virginia State Fire Marshalls Office for 6 years. Harold was the second oldest Portsmouth Fire Dept retiree at 94 years of age. Harold was a member for many years at Calvary Baptist Church in Portsmouth where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee and as a member of the “Thursday Crew.” Since 2012 he has been a member of Alexander Baptist Church where he was in regular attendance until the first of December last year. He was known by the congregation affectionately as “Mr. Harold.” He loved and served God, his family and his church. Harold was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Junius Thompson, a sister, Linda Thompson, his first wife of 59 years, Madeline Thompson and his second wife, Roselia “Petesy” Thompson. Harold is survived by his son, Carlyle Thompson and wife Judy of Chesapeake, his daughter, Nancy Coppedge and husband Lee of Willington, NC, sister, Alice Lewis of Sims, NC, grandson Michael Thompson and wife Crystal, grandson Captain Phillip Thompson (Norfolk Fire Department) and wife Tammy, Grandson Barry Coppedge and wife Ashley of NC, and Grandson Brett Coppedge of NC. Harold is survived by great grandchildren, Ashley Rawlings, Hannah Thompson, Abigail Thompson, Gabriel Thompson, and Madeline Coppedge. Harold is also survived by stepchildren Mike White, Pam Orr, and Beth Garrett and their families. Entombment services will be private. The family suggest memorial contributions to Alexander Baptist Church 4316 Pamela Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23321or to The Gideons International Processing Center P.O. Box 97251 Washington, DC 20090-7251. A Celebration of Life service will at a later date in the spring.