- Date Of Birth: July 30, 1932
- Date Of Death: March 24, 2009
- State: Idaho
Deane LaVern Thompson, 76, died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of March 24, 2009 at the home of his eldest daughter.
The oldest of twelve children, Deane was born on July 30, 1932 in Cascade, Idaho to Virgil Dean Thompson and Helen Louise Thompson (Sawyer). Born during the Great Depression and being the oldest son of a large family, left an impression upon him for his entire life. Throughout his days, he worked hard; and always found some way to support his family, even in the most difficult of times, and he would ensure that he was the last one to eat at mealtime.
He began working at an age when most kids his age were not yet in high school. The first job was on the shipping docks and driving for his father’s trucking company and there met the love of his life (though he did not know it at the time). From there, he traveled to California to work in a cannery and at the age of 25, joined the army. He served the majority of his time in Alaska, not far from the Russian border.
After his stint in the army, he returned to Boise and resumed what would be a lifelong activity, hunting. He would tell stories of hunting with his pack of dogs, and his friend Ray Padgett, along the BoiseRiver, in places that no longer exist and with a respect for the wildlife he hunted that rarely still exists today. During this time he worked as an Assistant Fire Chief at Collister Fire Department a job he loved.
In 1963, he married Beatrice Janelle (Peters), whom he met when she stayed next door to his parent’s home with family friends, Cliff and Vera Steep. At the time, Deane lived with his parents and helped support his ever-expanding number of brothers and sisters. Soon after they married, Deane and Bea moved to Riggins, Idaho and then to 7 acres of property off the Little Salmon River south of Riggins. There he worked hard to raise his family of three little girls, numerous goats, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, and of course a huge garden.
It didn’t matter where he lived; Deane always grew the best garden around. In 1978, Deane and Bea divorced and he took a job driving long haul trucks. A career he would remain in for the majority of his remaining work life. In 1979, he and Dorothy May Stemen, (Minger), met again after the first time on the shipping docks. They married in 1980 and remained married until she died from cancer in 2001. Dorothy was the love of his life and his camping, hunting, and fishing partner. You could always count on them being on the edge of a reservoir in a beat up old silver trailer they had fixed up, fishing, picking up cans, and having a good time.
Deane was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Dean Thompson, Helen Louise Hay (Thompson); his stepfather, Kenneth Hay; an infant brother, James MacArther Thompson; half-brother, Raymond Thompson; brothers, Norman Eugene Thompson, (Sue and husband Terry), Frederick Dauane Thompson (Berniel), Kerry Wayne Thompson and his wife, Marie Margaret; sister, Patsy Ruth Boutwell; sister-in-law, Patricia Darlene Burr (Roy); and his beloved wife Dorothy May.
Deane was a very hard working, man and always managed to find work doing something. Although he had little formal education, he was a very smart man. He lived life to the fullest, working hard, playing hard, and always had a smart comeback or instigation for his many family members and friends. His perpetual optimism, great sense of humor, and his belief that one could do anything you set your mind to, will be greatly missed by his children, Kelly Jo Day (David), Lillian Louis Norton (Tim), and Bebe (Beatrice) Rose Thompson; and by his grandchildren, William Boyd Wilson, Ashley Deane Hale (Joshua), and Austin Sean Michael Sumner. His bond with Ashley and Willie was much like that of a second father, as was his bond with many of his brothers and sisters and extended family.
During the last years of his life, David Jenkins and Larry Wilson were of great support and friendship. They will always be remembered for that.
He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Buddy (Thurlow) Steven Thompson (Elverta), Daniel Deleno Thompson (Chun), Mary Louise Swank (George), Susan Rose Creed-Cunningham, Dorothy Darlene Hanau, and David Lee Thompson (Joanne); numerous nieces, nephews, their children, and grandchildren; friends and acquaintances, far too many to mention here, but none forgotten.
Deane would want us all to celebrate his life not mourn him.
