Ben E. Thompson Jr., 88, died Jan. 3, 2011, at VNA Hospice House.
He was born in Florence County, S.C., and lived in Vero Beach since 1952, coming from Winston-Salem, N.C.
Before retirement, he was a banker with Indian River Federal for 35 years, where he became president banker of Indian River Federal Savings and Loan Association.
He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Vero Beach; Vero Beach Kiwanis Club, where he was president; Vero Beach Planning and Zoning Commission, where he was chairman; Indian River County United Fund, Indian River County Library Association and the Vero Beach/Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, where he was director.
He was nominated as vice chairman of the Florida Savings and Loan League.
He also served on the board of Florida Savings and Loan Services, was a director of the Florida Savings Political Action Committee, Home Loan Associates, Industrial Development Corp. of Florida and a trustee of the Savings Association Retirement Fund.
Survivors include his son, John B. Thompson, of Vero Beach; daughter, MarthaJean Flynt, of Vero Beach; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha Thompson.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 8 at Grace Lutheran Church.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach.
A guestbook is available at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
