Ronald Charles Lloyd Thompson Ph.D.

Thompson, Ronald Charles Lloyd, 94, was born February 8, 1932, and died July 18, 2026.

Thompson devoted much of his life to his family, education, and Christian ministry. He earned a PhD in ecclesiastical history from Rhodes University. He later made the significant decision to immigrate from South Africa to the USA so that his two sons could pursue medical degrees. Both later graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine.

He served for 38 years as an ordained Adventist minister. His ministry began with five years of missionary service at Bugema Missionary College in Uganda. He later served as a pastor and evangelist in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the USA, including churches in the Ohio and Texas conferences. During his ministry, he pastored and conducted evangelistic campaigns in 17 churches, with public evangelism forming a major part of his work. Through his preaching, teaching, children’s stories, and study of Scripture, his ministry influenced generations of church members and many whom he regarded as spiritual sons and daughters.

Following retirement to Myrtle Beach, SC, Thompson continued his scholarly and religious work as an author. He wrote and published three books: Champions of Christianity in Search of Truth, Restoration of the Apostolic Church, and God-Forsaken Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Thompson also participated for many years in competitive swimming. Between the ages of 51 and 81, he competed in the Texas, South Carolina, and National Senior Games and was inducted into the South Carolina Senior Sports Hall of Fame.

His Christian faith remained central throughout his life. His favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me,” and his favorite hymn was “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” He believed deeply in the resurrection and the Second Coming of Jesus and sought to reflect those convictions through his ministry and life.

He is survived by sons, Glynn Mark Thompson and Lester Daron Robert Thompson; daughters-in-law, Sandy Thompson and Pam Thompson; three grandchildren, Mark Alexander Thompson, Shelly Michaela Thompson and her husband, Femi Oyenusei, and Matthew Daron Thompson; nine nieces and nephews; two cousins; and two sisters-in-law. His ministry also touched the lives of many spiritual sons and daughters and thousands of others over the course of his years of service.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dawn Ansley Thompson; and his only sibling, Avril Hudson-Lamb.

In Afrikaans, the word “totsiens” expresses a farewell until meeting again. Thompson’s life of faith, ministry, education, and service reflected his hope in that promise.

In memory of Dr Ron Thompson, plant a tree and let its shade bless another.

Services will be held at Damascus Road Community Church, 12826 Old National Pike, Mt. Airy, Maryland, 21771, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST. The service will be streamed; to view it, please email glynnmthompson@gmail.com.