b'IN MEMORY Albert ThompsonAlbertMauriceThompson,81,ofdaughters, Karra Sparks of Bentonville, Eufaula, Okla., passed away Thursday,Ark., and Rachel Thompson; his grand-January 9, 2020, at his home. Albertchildren, Ashley Deskin, Kynsey Bates, wasbornonAugust21,1938,inShelbyBates,LukeBarton,Noah Edmond, Okla., the son of Henry andSparks,ColeThompson,Christopher Adelia Thompson, and graduated fromThompson,JesseThompson,Taylor EdmondHighSchool.OnMarch1,Thompson,NoahThompsonand 1996,AlbertmarriedJoannBatesatDallas Thompson; his great grandchil-the Quail Springs Church of Christ indren, Delayney Deskin, Dallas Deskin OklahomaCity.Theywerehappilyand Henry Ford Thompson. He is pre-marriedfor23years. Albertenjoyedceded in death by his parents, and his playingguitar,helpingpeople,andsiblings.singing at the Plumb Theater. NTCAS Executive Director Emeritus He owned and operated ThompsonJoeTarveralsocountedThompson Tile and Marble of Edmond and lateramong his friends. Albert Thompson owned Artistic Tile & Marble of Guthriewas a dear friend and a staunch sup-forover25years.Hewasamasterporter of NTCA, he said. His talents tilemanandwasamemberofthereached far beyond the ceramic tile NationalContractors Tile Associationindustry. Albert was also a guitarist, a where he received the Tile Person ofsinger and played regularly in a band. the Year Award in 2001.Hewasnevertoobusytoanswer He is survived by: his wife, Joann;acallforassistancefromanyone hissons,JimBatesofWashington,relatedtotheentertainmentortile Okla., and Chris Thompson of Mo.; hisindustries. When the decision was madetocladtheNTCA buildingwithnewtile, Jim Isaminger of DMI Tile and Marble came in from Birminghamanddidthe installation, Tarver added. Albertansweredthecall and came to Jackson and groutedtheinstallation withsilicone. Thatwasa uniquetalentthatAlbert possessed, and he did the entire building by himself. Youwillbemissedmy Albert and Joann Thompson at the 2000 NTCA Annualfriendbyallwhoknew Convention.and respected you.100 TileLetter | April 2020'