Funeral Services will be 11:30 a.m., Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Belden Larkin Funeral Home, with Chaplain Sullivan officiating, with Military Graveside Services following at 12:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m.
Jim was born March 29, 1936 in Mount Sterling, Kentucky the son of William and Mildred (Willis) Thompson. He attended and graduated from West Platte High School, Weston, Missouri in 1954 where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. He graduated on July 31, 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves while a senior in high school and upon graduation he entered the United States Air Force on June 29, 1954 and retired as a TSGT on July 1, 1974 after proudly serving his country. He initially served as a gunner on B-29 aircraft and later chose Weapons Control System Technician as a military career. He was part of the initial cadre of Weapons Control Systems Technicians trained on the F-4 Phantom II aircraft. His assignments included Lackland AFB, Texas; Burtonwood AFB, England; Kelly AFB, Texas; Otis AFB, Mass.; Ramstein AFB, Germany; Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; RAF Bentwaters, England; Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand; Hahn AFB, Germany; and Whiteman AFB, Mo. He was also deployed several times to Torejon and Zaragosa Air Bases in Spain and Wheelus Air Base in Libya; and was on temporary duty to Viet Nam. After his retirement from the military he worked in electronics for the Bendix Corporation in Kansas City until he accepted a position with the General Services Administration (Truman Library and the USPO building in Leavenworth, Kansas). He retired from the General Services Administration on December 31, 1996 after more than 18 years of service. He received numerous awards and commendations for his service in the United States Air Force and the General Services Administration.
During his first assignment to England, he met Dorothy Pearson and her family and said it was “love at first sight”. They married on November 3, 1956 in Manchester, England and were together almost 60 years. She preceded him in death on June 12, 2014 and living without her was the hardest thing he had to do.
He is survived by two daughters Sharon Marsch and her husband Wayne and Kathy Walker and her husband David, Sr. all of Leavenworth, Kansas; and one son Dr. Gary Thompson and his wife Terri of San Antonio, Texas; six grandsons and three granddaughters; six great grandsons and four great granddaughters; sister in laws as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gerald and William Thompson.
Jim enjoyed all sports, especially playing golf and watching Manchester United soccer. He also enjoyed yard work, traveling, and spending time with his family. He was a past member of the Eagles and lifetime member of the DAV.
Memorials in his name may be directed to a Veterans organization of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Belden-Larkin Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to http://www.tributes.com/show/104915640#condolences
Together ♥♥♥ Forever
Dorothy is preceded in death her by parents Kate and Leonard Pearson, Salford, England.
Dorothy is survived by her loving husband, James E. Thompson. They were married in Salford, England on November 5, 1956 and were together for almost sixty years.
Dorothy is also cherished and will be lovingly remembered by her children, Sharon Marsch (Wayne) and Kathy Walker (David) of Leavenworth, KS, and her son Gary Thompson (Terri) of Cibolo, TX. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Michelle Tippitt, Amber Thompson, Amie Kankelfitz, Robert Bannerman Jr,, James Ryan Thompson, David Walker Jr., Bryan Marsch, Brandon Thompson, and Scott Thompson as well as six great-grandsons, and three great-granddaughters all of whom she adored and were the light of her life. Additionally she is survived by two brothers, William and Leonard Pearson, England.
She was born in Salford, England on April 16, 1935. She attended and completed secondary school in England and went on to work for the Colgate Palmolive Company prior to marrying James. For many years she was homemaker and dedicated military spouse. When her children were older she volunteered and later worked for the Leavenworth School District.
Dorothy enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, watching college basketball and British soccer, but most of all she loved and cherished time spent with her family.
The visitation will be held at Belden-Larkin Funeral Home, Leavenworth, KS on Monday, June 16th from 6:00 until 8:00p.m.with the family present.
The funeral service and a celebration of her life will be held at 1:30 PM Tuesday, June 17th at the funeral home with Pastor Ed Mease of Saint Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in the Leavenworth National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. following the service. Pall bearers are Wayne Marsch, David Walker Sr, Bryan Marsch, Robert Bannerman Jr, David Walker Jr, and Julian Kankelfitz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be sent to http://www.beldenlarkin.com/obituaries/Dorothy-Thompson-5/
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