Memorial
Kaye D. “Don” Thompson passed away Monday, March 23, 2015 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at 81 years of age.
Don was born January 25, 1934 in Wichita, Kansas, spent his childhood in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and graduated high school in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Don served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army, stationed in Japan. Upon his return from service, he married Evelyn Joan Pearson on August 17, 1957 and graduated from Drake University in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Don and Evelyn made their home in Fort Dodge Iowa where Don took over the family business, H.K. Thompson Oil Company, until his retirement in the early 1990s.
Don was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder and a member of the church choir. He was also a member of the Fort Dodge Civic Glee Club with his wife, Evelyn and a member of the Fort Dodge Rotary Club.
The Thompsons spent their retirement living at Twin Lakes, Iowa, Cave Creek, Arizona, and later Sun City Arizona. Don was an avid genealogist, tracing his wife’s family history, and his own family’s roots to the Mayflower pilgrims. Don was proud to share that he was a direct descendant of Oceanus Hopkins, the first baby born en route to the new world.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Howard K. and Helen S. Thompson, son-in-law Rev. Alvis H. Styron II. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn; three children, Sara Jane Thompson, Carol Jean Styron, and Philip Howard (Cherie) Thompson; and six grandchildren Christina, Kirsten, Kyle, Katie, Helaina, and Corey. Don is also survived by his sister, Susan Thompson (Bill) Wahl of Social Circle, GA, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial services were held at 4:30 PM Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. A visitation was held directly following the service at the chapel from 5:30 until 7:00 PM.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Don’s honor from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Dodge. Inurnment with military honors will take place prior to the celebration of life at 12:15 PM Saturday at the North Lawn Cemetery.
Memorials in Don’s name may be made to the American Heart Association or the First Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Arizona.