Harvey Kay Thompson

Published 3:28 pm Friday, September 2, 2022

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NAGS HEAD, North Carolina – Dr. Harvey Kay Thompson passed from his earthly home on Aug. 30, 2022, at The Outer Banks Hospital, Nags Head, North Carolina. He was born June 3, 1946, in Kinston, North Carolina to the late Mankie Harper Thompson and Hubert Arlington Thompson. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Nelson Glass Thompson and his children: Amy Haley Thompson, Elizabeth Wythe Thompson Gibbs (David Cooper Gibbs) and Dr. Harper Allen Thompson (Annie Reese Leffingwell Thompson). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Forrest John Thompson, Caroline Elizabeth Gibbs, Baker Harvey Thompson, Madison Grace Gibbs and Dean Harper Thompson. He was predeceased by his brothers, Hubert Aubrey Thompson, Donald Harper Thompson and Edwin Patterson Thompson.

He is survived by sisters-in-law: Hannah Elizabeth Glass Smith (William Smith), Linda Allen Glass Hyslop (Dr. John Hyslo

Harvey Kay Thompson

p) and brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Massa. He was also predeceased by sisters-in-law: Francis Stroud Thompson, Dorothy Stroud Thompson and Anne Cary Glass Massa. Buzzy, affectionately nick-named, by his three older brothers, grew up in Deep Run, North Carolina. He continued the family legacy of graduating from UNC, Chapel Hill with a bachelors degree in chemistry. He also graduated from UNC Dental School. After which, he founded Dr. Harvey K. Thompson Family Dentistry in Franklin, Virginia, where he practiced as a solo practitioner for 41 years. His professional career was marked with distinction. Restorative dentistry was his forte’. He excelled in his ability to create natural-looking aesthetics, which were admired and recognized by many specialists in the field of dentistry. He was detail-oriented and aspired to perfection in all that he did.

Buzzy was instrumental in the formation of The Bank of Southampton, which is now Truist Bank. He served on the board of directors at Southampton Academy and Cypress Cove Country Club, where he was also chairman of the Men’s Golf Committee.

His courage and fortitude were exhibited during the devastating flood in Franklin, caused by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. Though his office and equipment were destroyed, he continued to serve the people of Western Tidewater by opening dental offices at Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin and the Health Department in Courtland. With the help of family and many friends, he reopened his Franklin office in February 2000, becoming the first business to reopen in what was then a “ghost town” disaster. When Buzzy retired, he was so proud to turn over his practice to his son, Harper. Buzzy was an avid golfer, fisherman, and UNC Tarheel sports fan. He loved his home on the Roanoke Sound, Manteo, North Carolina. Though restricted by infirmities in retirement, he still managed to enjoy his boat, golf cart and word and number puzzles. He loved gathering with family and many friends at Basnight’s Lone Cedar, Nags Head and at Pirates Cove in Manteo. Buzzy was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. His lifelong trait of striving for perfection will be his legacy for each of his children. In a final service to mankind, Buzzy’s organs and tissue were donated to the Miracle in Sight non-profit organization in Durham, North Carolina.

A private family memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Courtland on Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. The service of commitment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, adjacent to the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 156 Main Street, Courtland, VA 23837 or to Southampton Academy, 26495 Old Plank Road, Courtland, VA 23837. Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.