OTTO – Frederick E. Thompson, 74, passed away Monday, March 21, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, an Army veteran stationed for four years at the Herzo Base in Germany, he was a Morse code interceptor for the Army Security Agency (ASA). He returned to Ohio with his young family and entered the building supply business working his way to managing home supply centers. After moving to Florida in 1985 he worked as a truss sales manager and then became a partner in a commercial roofing company.
In 1990, Fred saw the need to help disabled veterans. In 1991, he founded Accessibility Services Inc., whose goal was to enable the severely disabled regain their independence through technology. This led to the creation of the AutonoME, an environmental control tool with augmentative and alternative communication to be used in VA hospitals and private homes across America.
During his business endeavors and successes Fred remained a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. As the anchor of his devoted family he listened, advised, supported and encouraged every-one’s dreams and adventures.
Recently, Fred retired to the Smoky Mountains to enjoy his favorite hobbies including golfing, cuckoo clock restoration, beer brewing, playing the saxophone and perfecting his fine wood craftsman skills in his GrandPaw’s Workshop making exquisite wooden keepsakes for his family.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Margaret Wirsig Thompson; son, Cody E. Thompson (Craig) of Largo, Florida; daughters, Heather L. Giordano of Fort Myers, Florida, and Dawn A. Pasqualone (Robert Soltis) of Clearwater, Florida; stepdaughter, Lisa Bartell Swiger (Chad) of Hudson, Florida; stepson, Brice Green (Beth) of St. Petersburg, Florida; brother, John W. Thompson Jr. (Beverly) of Punta Gorda, Florida; grandchildren, Danielle, Haley, Joe, Conner, Shelby, Nick, Peighton, Vaughn, Silas and Walker.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, John W. Thompson Sr. and Evelyn Patricia Thompson; brother, James Thompson; and first wife, Penny A. Edgington Thompson, all from Dayton, Ohio; and stepdaughter, Leslie A. Bartell of St. Petersburg, Florida.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2155 North-point Pkwy, Lutz, FL 33558.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Fred Thompson’s honor can be made to the Tunnel for Towers Foundation, an organization he supported which honors our military and first responders who make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.
Online tributes can be made to AshevilleMortuaryServices.com, who are handling the arrangements.