Charles W. Thompson, 80, of Lumberton - Philadelphia Inquirer

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To his family, Charles W. Thompson was "just Dad, a regular guy," they said.

But to the communities of Lumberton and Hainesport, Mr. Thompson was a man who could be counted on to do any job, including removing dead flowers from graves at his church's cemetery and camping out with Cub Scouts.

"Health had not slowed him down. It might take him longer, but he would continue to help," said the Rev. David L. Stoner, associate pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hainesport. "He was remarkable."

Mr. Thompson, 80, of Lumberton, died of pancreatic cancer Feb. 6 at his home.

A New Jersey Bell Telephone Co. employee for 37 years, Mr. Thompson always made time for family, service, and fun.

When his three sons were young and joined the Boy Scouts, Mr. Thompson signed up, too. He became cubmaster of Lumberton Pack 22 and led the troops from 1963 to 1973.

A camper and nature lover, Mr. Thompson was the ideal troop leader, said his wife, Joan. He helped the Scouts build cars and radio sets.

Mr. Thompson also enjoyed singing, and used his talent for 37 years as a member of the Cherry Hill Pine Barons Barbershop Chorus. He also sang in the St. Paul's choir for decades.

Joan Thompson described her husband of 58 years as "a listener and a singer," and said he would often break into song when the couple was out with groups of friends.

Mr. Thompson's son, Chuck, said his father once recorded an album and participated in national singing competitions.

The Thompsons picked up square-dancing about 20 years ago and belonged to a dance club in the Maple Shade area.

Despite being involved in groups and social activities, Mr. Thompson found time to help out wherever needed at St. Paul's, where he was a member for more than 50 years, Stoner said.

Most recently, he welcomed new members and spent time with them. When he said "welcome," Stoner said, he meant it.

"He accepted you for who you are; he didn't judge anyone," Stoner said.

Mr. Thompson was such a presence in the church that he and the senior pastor bet each year over baseball, Stoner said. Mr. Thompson loved the Phillies, while the Rev. David Jost supports the Mets. Whenever the Mets lost, Mr. Thompson gave Jost a Phillies hat to wear for a day.

Mr. Thompson was raised in Camden and graduated in 1947 from Woodrow Wilson High School. He started working for New Jersey Bell as an office boy, his wife said, but his career was interrupted by the Korean War.

Mr. Thompson joined the Army and was a quartermaster in the personnel department from 1951 to 1953. After the war, he returned to Bell, where he worked until retirement in 1985.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Thompson is survived by another son, Jody; two grandchildren; a sister; and two brothers. A son, Kevin, died in 1991.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 910 Marne Highway, Hainesport. A funeral will follow at the church. Burial will be at St. Paul's Cemetery.

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Contact staff writer Claudia Vargas at 856-779-3917 or cvargas@phillynews.com.

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