Mr. Sifus Leroy Thompson

THOMPSON, Mr. Sifus L. - Age 92, passed away Friday, April 7, 2017 in Arlington, TX. Family hour 10:00 AM, Friday, April 21, 2017 from the Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Rev. Donald Hughes, officiating. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, G-5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM on Friday. Mr. Thompson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed 12:00 PM-8:00 PM on Thursday. Sifus Leroy Thompson, Sr. was born to Gus S. and Gracie B. (Evans) Thompson, June 26, 1924 in Solomon Grove (now Twin Groves), Arkansas, and went to be with the Lord on April 7, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. He had two sisters, Navi Willie Thompson Lee and Hester Thompson Ealy; and three brothers, Calvin Greene Thompson, Semon Frank Thompson and Gus Nathaniel Thompson, Jr. - all of whom preceded him in death. At an early age, Sifus joined Solomon Grove Baptist Church where he was an active member. He and several of his friends formed a gospel group and travelled to various places to sing. Sifus attended elementary and junior high schools in Little Rock and went on to high school at Corbin High in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. While in high school, he drafted into the Army in 1944, served in World War II and spent the majority of his time in Japan. He loved the Japanese language and would always end his telephone conversations saying “sayonara”. During his military tenure, he passed the North Central Test which earned him his high school diploma. Upon his Honorable Discharge, Sifus enrolled at AM&N College, where he earned his degree in Industrial Education. He pursued further education at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas in the Old and New Testament studies. He credited his mother, Gracie, with instilling construction interest and the pursuit of excellence which he would cultivate into an illustrious career for life. With his talent for construction, Sifus moved to Flint, Michigan to work as a Professional Carpenter (where he would live for over fifty years). Following his passion, he used his skills and business acumen to work and learn from others for a time through collaboration in his field, as well as pursued his own projects. Realizing he could develop and operate his own company, Sifus established Sifus & Sons Construction Company. During his industrious career, Sifus worked on numerous projects among which were constructing stores, million dollar homes, funeral homes, churches, bridges, and roadways. His skills, delivery and professional quality of work performed were so well known that major construction companies were constantly approaching him to join their companies. Over many years of contracting, Sifus provided gainful employment to employees nationally and internationally. Within his own family, he effectively prepared his sons to determine their own life path by training them to be skilled contractors in their own right. As enthusiastic and dedicated as Sifus was to his profession, his latter years were spent in study and appreciation of God’s word through daily viewing his favorite Christian channels. Sifus leaves to cherish his memories his children: Alvenia Thompson Burns of Gulf Port, MS, Judy Thompson Relerford of Flint, Ruthie Thompson (Pastor Anthony) Tolbert of Mount Morris, MI, Sifus (Katherine) Thompson, Jr. of Davison, MI, Cynthia Thompson of Flint, Gregory Thompson, Patrick Thompson, both of Arlington, TX, Marvel Thompson of Flint; Katrina Harris-Thompson; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, friends and associates. Sifus was preceded in death by his wives, Louise (Jenkins) Thompson and Fannie Mae (Clayton) Thompson; and sons, McArthur and Kristopher Thompson. The family would like to express special thanks to Tina Howard, King Hunt and family, Yolanda Allen, Austin Avenue Missionary Baptist Church family, Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church family, Meals On Wheels, Golden Gate Funeral Home, Dallas, TX, Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home.

Mr. Sifus Leroy Thompson

June 26, 1924 - April 7, 2017