Paul LeRoy Thompson, 85, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2011, in Prescott Valley, Ariz., while under the care of Santa Fe House/Granite Mountain Hospice since June 1, 2011.

Before this, he resided with his wife Wanda in Prescott, Ariz. He was born in Albert Lea, Minn., attended schools in Albert Lea, London, and Lyle, Minn., and graduated in 1943 as valedictorian. Paul participated in sports and the high school band while attending Lyle High School. A highlight in his senior year was as a baseball team member coming in second in the State High School Baseball Tournament for that school size rating. In July of 1944, he was drafted into the Army Air Force where he became a cryptographer while in service for the country that he loved. While serving in Biak in the South Pacific, he contracted a severe case of Malaria and was flown to Topeka, Kan., where he stayed hospitalized for five months before being honorably discharged after serving 19 months. Paul then returned to Luther College, and after a year and a half was approached by his step-father to help him in the home-owned bank. For the next 25 years he settled into the banking industry. Later he returned to school and graduated as a public accountant. Paul partnered with a friend as a painter for some of his last years before retirement. During his working years, Paul and his wife, Wanda, along with their four children lived in different areas of Minnesota, where in 1979 they were active members of the Assembly of God Church. The Thompson family participated in bible study groups in whatever state they made their home: Minnesota, New Mexico, Arizona and Tennessee. Paul was an avid reader for most of his life. They relocated to Prescott in May of 2010 and resided in Prescott Canyon Estates Adult Community.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; children, Marsha (Norm) Jensen of Prescott Valley, Brian (Daisy) Thompson of Hermitage, Tenn., Daniel (Kaoru) Thompson of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Joan (Greg) Larsen of Walnut Creek, Calif.; sister, Marlene (Don) Storry of Boulder City, Nev., 10 grandchildren, one step-grandchild, eight great-grandchildren and one step great-granchild, six nieces and nephews.