Obituaries : Harold William “Tom” Thompson

Harold William "Tom" Thompson

CEDAR RAPIDS – Harold William “Tom” Thompson, age 78 of Cedar Rapids died Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at his home following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

     Funeral Services for Harold will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Phillips Family Center, 605 Second Avenue in Vinton with Rev. Stewart Royce officiating.  Visitation will be from noon until service time at the Family Center on Saturday.  Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton with Graveside Military Rites conducted by the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 and Iowa Military Funeral Honors.  A Memorial Fund has been established.

     Harold William Thompson was born October 22, 1932 in Ames, Iowa the son of Calvin and Lulu Erickson Thompson.  He attended schools in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Robins and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1951.  In 1952 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country in the Korean War.  He was stationed in Korea and attained the rank of Sergeant.  Following his service he worked as a surveyor for the Iowa Highway Commission before becoming a plumber.  Harold was a proud member of Local 125, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union for over 49 years.

      Harold was a forty-year member of the Cedar Christian Church in Cedar Rapids where he served as a Deacon, Elder and member of the Property Department.  More recently he was a member of Noelridge Christian Church.

    He was actively involved in Scouting and the Soap Box Derby with his children.  He enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, reading Western novels and completing countless projects over the years. 

     In life he will be remembered for his strong Christian faith, his loving devotion to his family, his can-do attitude and keen wit.

     Harold is survived by his wife, Dora of Cedar Rapids; his children, Brad (Lanette) Thompson, Ross Thompson, David (Kathy) Thompson, John (Dawn) Thompson, Trisha (Daniel) Ives and Jennifer (Jason) Johnson; fifteen grandchildren; one sister, Jan Greenfield and three brothers, Jon Kirchoff, Michael Kirchoff and Joseph Kirchoff.

     He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dorothy Peterson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at:  www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.