Gregory Phillip Thompson, Sr., 75, of Liberty, Ohio, departed this life on April 18, 2026, at his residence, following complications from an extended illness. He was born on Wednesday, November 1, 1950, in Campbell, Ohio, the son of Ollie Mae Thompson and William Phillips.

Gregory was a proud 1968 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School. He was employed in the Maintenance Department of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for 34 years, before retiring in 2008. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 – 1972, and in the Air Force Reserves from 1972 – 1979. His service to his country instilled in him a lifelong sense of duty and responsibility, values he carried into his personal life.

Gregory was a compassionate and generous man who opened his doors to anyone. He would help anyone with anything necessary. He was a successful landlord – owning three properties and completing his own home repairs. He was co-owner of T and S Enterprise, a local DJ business, with his lifelong friend Mark Scott.

Gregory was a big movie buff. He loved any space movie – but especially loved Star Wars, Superman movies and Star Trek TV shows – and especially loved watching them in surround sound. He loved Cleveland’s Browns and Cavaliers. Gregory appreciated ALL genres of music – with the Ohio Players, the Temptations, Parliament, Prince and Bootsy Collins being his favorite. However, Gregory enjoyed listening to country western, polka, Frank Sinatra, gospel music and classical Beethoven. He collected albums – he still had the first album he ever bought. He liked attending air shows. Gregory cooked the best fried cabbage, steak, bacon and potatoes and made the best Kool-Aid.

A wonderful husband, Gregory was united in holy matrimony to Naomi Denise “Cookie” Bowman Thompson on May 23, 1980, and they celebrated 45 wonderful years together. He had a wonderful relationship with his children and grandchildren.

Besides his wife of Liberty, he leaves to mourn four children, Gregory P. Thompson, Jr., of Hubbard, Porcha Thompson, of Boardman, Kristen N. (Jay) Thompson, of Columbus, and Kevin (Faith) Hodge of Youngstown; 14 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; cousins who were like brother, Earl (Shelly) Thompson, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Larry (Thelma) Thompson, of Boardman; and friends who were like family, Fred (Lynn) Baldwin, Earl (Von) Baldwin, Delphine (Ronald) Baldwin-Casey, Faith Ann Wallace, Mark Scott, and Cheryl Harris Hough.

As Gregory crossed the celestial sands into eternity, Gregory was reunited with his parents; son, Gerald Elliott Hodge, and brother Walter Moses Westbrook.

Family and friends will gather to honor Gregory's life during a public viewing at the Jaylex Event Center, 2210 Glenwood Ave., on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A funeral service, with miliary honors, will follow at 11:00 AM, where we will celebrate the remarkable spirit of Gregory Phillip Thompson Sr. The services, which will be live streamed on the Facebook page of JEW/Washington Funeral Services, will be officiated by Elder Dale Fountain.

Gregory will be laid to rest with love and respect, at the Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery in Rittman, OH ensuring his legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him.

At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Gregory Phillip Thompson, Sr elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 330.782.8500.