Howard Thompson

Howard Leroy Thompson passed away on Saturday April 4, 2015 with his family at his side at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. In his final days, Howard was surrounded by his family around the clock who cared for him with the kind staff at the Vets home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at the Lamoille Congregational Church in Lamoille, Iowa. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Military Honors will be provided by Harry C. Harter Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #839 and American Legion Frank Lewis Glick Post #46. Memorials may be directed to the Lamoille Community Church. For Condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com .Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Howard and his family. Phone 641-844-1234. Born on February 26, 1932, in Marshalltown, Iowa, at the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital. He lived in Lamoille, Iowa and joined the United States Air Force in 1949, where he was first stationed in Yokato Airbase near Tokyo, Japan. He met his wife Daisy at the Madrin Cafe in Marshalltown when he returned on leave. They wrote letters for several years and married later in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 1, 1954. Howard traveled and adventured while serving his Country stationed in March Air Force Base in California, Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, Lincoln Air Force Base in Lincoln Nebraska (where his children Robert and Julia Thompson were born), Marone Airbase in Spain, Griffis Air Force Base in New York (where his son Arnold Thompson was born), Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, Merced Air Force Base in California where he retired with twenty two and a half years in 1971; settling in State Center, Iowa where he farmed, and also worked at Fisher Controls for 14 years in Marshalltown. He spent time owning many properties and remodeling them for rental homes throughout Marshall County. Howard was a Mason, a member of the American Legion and a member of the Senior Citizen Center and spent many hours volunteering in the community. Survivors include his loving wife Daisy Thompson, his adoring children, Robert Thompson (wife Pat Thompson), Julia Lins (husband Francis Lins) and Arnold Thompson. His beloved grandchildren: Debra Williams, Angela (Moon) Chaplin Lins-Eich, Nathaniel Lins, Paul Thompson, Arnold Thompson Jr., Desiree Thompson Luethje and Andrea Thompson, his sister, Joan Thompson Maytag. He is also survived by ten great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends and grateful community members who knew Howard as "generous" and loyal to his community in service. He shared a loving and loyal bond with his wife, children and grandchildren. Together, his grandchildren wish to express their gratitude for his positive influence, unconditional love, and the legacy he has left his family and community. He will be deeply mourned and missed. Howard loved to spend his time gifting his family and friends, spending time at the Senior Citizen Center, playing cards, playing music, telling jokes, and giving to others. Howard was gifted in music and had deep appreciation for classic country and blue grass. He passed his gift to his grandchildren, teaching them to play music and leaving his musical instruments to his grandchildren. He loved Taylor's Maid Rite and Zenos Pizza. Howard was an early riser and would spend his day in the community of Marshalltown, often surprising loved ones and friends with Taylor's Maid Rite or a cup of coffee. He loved to take his grandchildren to school every morning and pick them up. He would always have his grandchildren's favorite cappuccino and donut for them as he took them to school. "I could call on my grandfather for anything. He was still giving me rides when I began traveling the world as an adult and took me to the airport one early morning. He had a cup of coffee ready for me and my favorite donut. On the way to the airport, a fox ran into the road as the sun was rising and he took my hand in his as though he knew how special that moment would be to me forever," recalls his granddaughter Angela Moon Chaplin. "The world is better because he lived and was our grandfather. We wouldn't be who we are without him. We knew this young and know this now more than ever. We love you Grandpa," speak his grandchildren who loved him as their own dad. His oldest son Bob reflects on the humble life of his father stating, "My dad was a strong Christian man who spent his life helping others in his family and others. He did this behind the scenes and never boasted. He is still alive with a new home in heaven awaiting our arrival of those who know Christ. My dad is my hero. He was faithful to Christ, his family, and to his country through military service. Many did not know he served dozens of the elderly providing free taxi service to the grocery store, pharmacy, or the doctor. It was never about him." His youngest son Arnold Sr. speaks admirably of his dad stating, "Howard was a great dad, a best friend, a fishing buddy, mentor and a second dad to all his grandchildren who adored him." His beloved daughter Julia also reflects on her dad's life, "My dad was a very good, moral man who believed that telling the truth and keeping your word were very important. One of my favorite memories of my dad was when I asked him to write in my autograph book when I was ten years old. He wrote me this poem and I still can recite it from memory: If you meet someone who's driving you batty, Don't say you're acting like my daddy. If you meet someone who looks kind of fatty, Don't say you remind me of my daddy. But if you meet someone who loves you and feels hurt when you're sad, You can say, I'm thinking of my dad. "