Eldon Oden Thompson's Obituary
Eldon Oden Thompson, lovingly known as Tom by family and friends, 75, went home to be with the Lord on August 29, 2010 in Tacoma, Washington. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends.
A service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 7th at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, Washington. Military funeral honors ceremony and the Air Force Chaplain will preside over the service.
Tom was born December 16, 1934, in Sioux Creek, Wisconsin to Oden Thompson and Violet Olson. Tom graduated from Chetek High School in Wisconsin in 1952.-¯ In 1955 he joined the United States Air Force.-¯ In 1958 he completed police-¯academy training at Ryukus military base in Okinawa, Japan. Tom served in the United States Air Force Security Police. In 1965,-¯Tom again attended school in Japan to become a non commissioned officer PACAF.-¯ Tom's daily duties included operation services to many law enforcement squads of over 100 men.-¯ He provided training, discipline and moral building principals. Tom retired in 1977 from the United States Air Force after 22 years of dedicated service.
While Tom may have retired from the Air Force, he was far from retirement. From-¯1978-¯to 1985, Tom went to work at Shortt Saw and Knife Company in Tacoma as an Industrial sales representative. Tom continued his law enforcement career as a United States Marshall for the Federal Court system in Pierce County, Washington. Tom later joined up with JB Hunt as a truck driver and there he remained until he retired for the second time in the Spring of 2004. He had fond memories of his work at JB Hunt.
Tom had a gentle spirit and he had a great love for kids.-¯ He loved to spend time with family during the holidays, school days and-¯birthdays. Tom enjoyed baking and decorating cakes.-¯Tom was devoted to his family and loved family weekends with cousins, aunts and uncles at the river property at Cowlitz Timber Trails, where he enjoyed camping, hiking, and fishing. Tom always helped people and at one time considered being a Chaplain. Tom was a blessing from God and will be missed so much.
Tom is survived by his sisters, Laverne Hensel and Karen Olson; brothers Merlyn Olson, Orland Olson, and Larry Olson; his first wife, Keiko Yasutake; his daughter LouAnn Hunt and her husband Paul Hunt; 3 stepsons and 1 stepdaughter and their spouses, Ron and Laura Wadsworth, Darren and Monika Wadsworth, Dane Wadsworth, Wendy and Larry Conway; and 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
[Soft Break]He was preceded in death by his second wife, Shirley Thompson.
Eldon Thompson Memorial Fund has been established and donations accepted at any Key Bank.
What’s your fondest memory of Eldon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Eldon?
Share a story where Eldon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Eldon you’ll never forget.
How did Eldon make you smile?