RUTH – A devastating blow was felt in the Ruth Community over the weekend. Ronny Thompson, a volunteer firefighter with Ruth, died Saturday. 

He was a dedicated volunteer who loved others. Ruth Volunteer Fire Department Chief Teresa Lawrence said Thompson had served with the department for four years on paper but always helped out when he could. His wife Amanda Thompson volunteered with the department. 

Lawrence said Thompson was always dependable and would help her or anyone else. 

“He was a good man and was always willing to help others and whatever they needed done,” Lawrence said. “He loved to hunt and fish. He was a family man and enjoyed being around friends and family. You wouldn’t find a better guy. He was an all around good man and there aren’t many of them left.”

He was originally born in Pascagoula on Oct. 7, 1976. Thompson worked as a construction superintendent with Repcon. 

Thompson did whatever needed to be done at the department such as handling wiring and remodeling the station. He would help with the annual haunted house that Ruth held on Halloween. 

“He will be greatly missed in our department and our community,” Lawrence said. 

Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Reid said Thompson was someone who was always willing to help, a great guy and most importantly a Christian man. 

“He loved his neighbors and community and was giving back through the fire department,” Reid said. “The fire departments here are a family. When one has a loss we all have a loss. We are mourning. Our prayers go out to the family and the community.”

Reid said there would be a final call for Thompson over the radio. His unit number was 729. 

John David Hart, a good friend of Thompson, will speak at his funeral. Hart is not only the District 3 Supervisor, chief of Hog Chain Volunteer Fire Department, but he had a close relationship with Thompson and the family. 

He said his kids spent several nights with the Thompson family. His son was in Turner Thompson’s wedding party last month. Hart said they have been friends for a long time now and asked for continual prayers for the family. 

“I could go on and on all day about how good he was. He was just a great guy. He was the guy that loved his neighbor way more than himself. He would go out of his way to speak to you,” Hart said. “He loved his family. It was amazing what he did for his family. Ronny was a guy who would call you. You could have a conversation for five or ten minutes but he would call to check on you and see how you were doing. I’m going to miss that. This has been a shock for sure.”

He added “My heart goes out to his wife Mandy. We have all been friends for a long time. Please keep them in your prayers,” Hart said. “We will celebrate him and glorify the Lord.”

Reid paged Ruth Volunteer Fire Department around 3:20 p.m. Thursday. He radioed to Thompson’s unit number 729 three times in a last call. 

“Central to all units. Ruth 729 is now forever out of service. May he rest in peace,” Reid said. “We will have the watch from here.”