Cary Lee Thompson II

Cary Lee Thompson II, 37, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. Cary was born in Myrtle Beach on May 6, 1981. Cary was a father, son and friend. It is impossible to capture a person in an obituary, and especially someone whose life was largely defined by alcohol.

He was hilarious and unusually sharp witted, warm, fearless, authentic and ingenious and lived life to the beat of his own drum. Like alcohol, he didn’t discriminate. He saw people at face value and was known for his big “Care Bear” heart, lifting up those often suffering a battle darker than his own. While many shared laughs and libations with Cary, his loved ones were often left witnessing the darker side of his dependency, helplessly witnessing his pain and suffering and desperately hoping to inspire him to a life of sobriety.

Cary often reminisced of a happier time in his life; a time he was a young adult in a sobriety ministry program in Hawaii, delightfully sober and devotedly involved with his church. He was living a healthy, active life of hiking, spearfishing and sharing the Gospel. A verse he highlighted in his Bible during that time read “above all love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Cary’s life was defined by this verse, even through his hard times, he poured out love into this broken world, rescuing many out of despair and making everyone feel exceptionally important; if only he had accepted the love he received back maybe he would have found the determination to change his path.

While his death was unexpected, for years we feared addiction would claim his life. Cary passed away at the age of 37, falling short of seeing his dreams of hiking Machu Picchu. His family finds comfort in knowing Cary is with his Heavenly Father free of his pain and suffering.
We appreciate all the people in this community who were his friends, those who shared their hearts and homes with him, and most importantly, those who reached out and fought to lift him out of alcohol’s destructive grip.

If you have any loved one’s who are fighting addiction, do everything possible to be supportive and guide them to rehabilitation before it is too late. If you are struggling, have hope that you can overcome your situation and have faith in a new life for yourself.

Cary leaves to mourn his mother, Sherrill L. Malnofski (Alan) of Duluth, Georgia; his Dad, Cary Lee Thompson (Kaye) of Myrtle Beach; his son, Skyler (Brandie) of Lebanon, Tennessee; his grandfather, Jack Thompson (Jane); and a host of family and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at Trinity Church, 3000 N. Kings Hwy. in Myrtle Beach. Come as you are, casual attire is welcome. We will walk down to the beach following the service to continue Cary’s send off celebration.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Cary’s son, Skyler’s, education fund.

Myrtle Beach Funeral Home is serving the family.