Smithfield, N.C. — A memorial service will be held Sunday for Sam Thompson Jr., a professional jockey who grew up in Johnston County.
Thompson, 36, died Dec. 25, five days after a quarter horse threw him following a race at California's Los Alamitos Race Course.
The service will be held at 2 p.m. at Stevens Chapel Church in Smithfield.
Thompson grew up in Smithfield on a family farm off Stevens Chapel Road, where he fell in love with horses and, along with his brother, taught himself to ride.
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Service to be held for Johnston County jockey
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