Michael David "Mike" Thompson

Mr. Michael David "Mike" Thompson, 64, of Golf Course Road, Elberton, husband of 45 years to Phyllis Howell Thompson, finished his course in faith on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital following a decade long battle with diabetes and liver failure.

Mr. Thompson was born on February 23, 1961, in South Carolina where his father was stationed with the U.S. Army. He grew up in Elberton and was a 1979 graduate of Elbert County High School and received his police training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Mike started his career with the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office and went to work with the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office when Charles Dickerson, appointed Sheriff of Elbert County, hired him as a road deputy. Through hard work and determination, Mike worked his way up to an investigator, a position he loved and worked diligently in for many years. At the time of retirement, he was the administrator at the Elbert County Jail.

Outside of his professional life, Mike was passionate about the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman who handmade many of his own fishing lures. Mike loved working in his yards, cultivating many beautiful colorful flowers. When not fishing or working in the yard, he could be found on the golf course playing a round with his closet friends or creating things in his woodshed.

Mike was a member of Fortsonia Baptist Church as well as the Peace Officers Association of Georgia. He was honored to receive the Liberty Bell Award from the Northern Judicial Bar Association in 2012, recognizing his many years of service to the community.

Mike leaves behind Phyllis, his devoted wife and dedicated caregiver; sons: Ben and Keri Thompson, and Nick Thompson; mother, Valerie Ruff Thompson; grandchildren: Colby, Jake, and Lily, who lovingly called him “Pappy”; sister and brother-in-law, Deborah and Lee Edwards; brother-in-law, Ronald Phillips; sister-in-law, Sherri Howell Caldwell; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Clyde Smith Thompson; sister, Donna Thompson Phillips; parents-in-law, Walton and June Richardson Howell; and brother-in-law Donnie Caldwell.

Mike's family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 27, from 6:00-8:00p.m. at Berry Funeral Home.

His celebration of life service will be conducted on Wednesday, May 28, at 10:00a.m. at Fortsonia Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Andrew Danals.

Committal services will follow at Elberton's Historic Elmhurst Cemetery, officiated by Sheriff Jamie Callaway and law enforcement honors rendered by the Forsyth County Honor Guard.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in his memory to T.J. & Friends Foundation, Post Office Box 6161, Elberton, Georgia 30635.

Through the family’s generous donation, Mike will continue to help others in need. Their prayer is that other families will be blessed by the work of the LifeLink Foundation of Georgia and through the gift of donation.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Michael David "Mike" Thompson.