Nathaniel Stroud "Buddy" Thompson

Nathaniel Stroud "Buddy" Thompson, age 78, of Hilton Head Island went home to be with the Lord on Sunday January 14, 2018 at The Medical University of South Carolina after a two year battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was born in Durham, NC on December 9, 1939, the son of the late James Edward Thompson and the late Elizabeth Hicks Thompson. Buddy treasured the simplest of things in life. First and foremost, he loved the Lord, with his wife, kids and grandchildren being among his greatest treasures. Buddy never met a stranger. He would stop and talk to anyone that would listen for as long as he could hold there attention. He sincerely took an interest in each person's story. In keeping true to his love of all things casual, he could be found in his shorts, tee shirt and flip flops on a daily basis. He possessed extensive talent and education in art and in community planning and development; this would become his life's work. Having first attended the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, FL, he later received his BA in Fine Arts from the Atlanta Art Institute. He began his career in early 1960's in community planning in Brunswick GA. From 1966-1970 Buddy was employed with the South Carolina Governors Office and the State Development Board. He continued his education up until 1980 in areas related to land use law, historic preservation and planning through attending various institutions including Georgia Tech and University of North Carolina. In November 1970 Buddy was invited to start the Lowcountry Council of Governments located in Yemassee, SC of which he was the Executive Director for 23 years. A good deal of Buddy's time was spent on a beach; St. Simons in his youth and then Hilton Head Island in his later years. Whether it was a shell, a bird, an ocean wave or a sunset, he took the time to absorb the beauty of his surroundings and to appreciate the intricate design of God's creations. So, in 1994, at age 54 he decided to retire and use his talent to paint what he said was a "love of what comforts me and to capture the images that fill me". This sentiment is truly reflected in his style of painting, a balancing of realism and abstraction. Another favorite pastime was one he shared with his wife, Linda. They affectionately spent 18 years restoring their previous 1875 home in Port Royal, SC. Buddy is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Linda "Sissy" Summar Thompson; his daughter, Natalie (Thompson) and Bob Pearce; his son, Nathaniel "Nat" Stroud Thompson Jr; three grandchildren: Taylor, Morgan and Carson Pearce; Mary Lou Thompson (survives his brother, William Robert Thompson); Patricia Thompson (survives his brother, General James Edward Thompson Jr); as well as loving nephews and nieces, Kim, Tammie, Tara, Brian and Jimmy. Buddy's final resting place will be in Sea Pines Plantation at Six Oak Cemetery, 175 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head, SC 29928. His service arrangements will be made available in the next few weeks on www.saulsfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions be made to the Hollings Cancer Center. This can be paid by check to: Hollings Cancer Center c/o MUSC Foundation 17 Bee Street, MSC 450 Charleston, SC 29425 Or online at www.hollingscancercenter.org/development/w ays-to-give.html