Harold Thompson
Harold Thompson (“Fireball”)
By Jeremy Farris
Harold was a man of little needs who kept to himself, but who had many friends. No one ever had a bad word to say about him. But, those who truly knew him were blessed beyond all blessings.
So who was Harold Thompson? I will tell you what I knew of this man who will be missed. First, Harold was a friend, not just a friend, but a true friend. If you were his friend, he was always there for you. I don’t know much beyond the few years I spent with him, as he told little about himself.
Harold was about 65 or so. He always kept a full beard and a shaved head. He had few hobbies to pass his time. He loved to make Ferris Wheels of various sizes out of paper. He spent endless hours rolling the paper up crafting them into miniature actual working Ferris Wheels. He also loved to play various card games such as “Euchre and Pinochle.” Another of his passions was playing pool (billiards). This is where we truly came to know one another. We would battle back and forwards. Some days him winning the most games, some days I would do all the winning. Mostly him though, and hopefully wherever he is in his afterlife, he can’t hear me saying this. I really don’t want to admit to him that he was actually better! Shh! Playing pool with Harold was funny. He was missing all but a nub of his finger--his pointer finger on his right hand--and when he would shoot pool he would hold the stick all funny, but somehow made it work! In the summers Harold would pass his time by sitting out in the sun by himself listening to his radio and watching the group here play sports. He seemed to love this.
Harold always had 3-4 hard candy Fireballs on him, passing them out to whoever was around. This was where he got his nickname “Fireball.” He loved them little hot treats. I think he could live off of them if it were his choice.
I don’t know much about Harold’s family. He would tell me about his mother who was in her 90’s. Sadly I believe she recently lost her life to Covid as well. I believe he still has a sister living. But much is not known about her as you don’t pry on people’s outside lives in here. I do know Harold was from Madison, Indiana, a little country place in Southern Indiana.
He was working extremely hard trying to get his G.E.D. while in here. Most people at his age could care less about getting it, but not Harold; he had a drive and a goal to achieve and said he would not give up on it until he received it. I know he was close and may have even taken the test, but like other things, I’m not sure if he ever got it?
The last time I spoke with Harold, he expressed concerns over Covid. He was afraid of getting it as if he knew his weathered body could not handle it. I always assured him he was too mean to pass from it. We always laughed.
Sadly, Harold lost his life to it while we were on lockdown. I was sadly informed that he passed in late November (24th) of 2020. Harold will be greatly missed in this life. Hopefully one day we will meet again in Heaven and I can attempt to kick his butt at some pool. The Hopefully part, accent on it because of the butt kicking: cause I know and have faith I will see him again one day.
God Bless you Howard and Thank you for being a great friend! You will be greatly missed.
~ Jeremy Farris
This memorial was transcribed by MOL team member Kirsten Pickering.
