Ronald Franklin Thompson, 83, Fort Myers

Published 10:17 am Friday, June 21, 2013

U.S. veteran Ronald Franklin Thompson, 83, of Fort Myers, Fla., died on June 9, 2013, at Hope Hospice.

Ronald Thompson

Ron was born on Feb. 3, 1930, in Austin, Minn., one of 12 children of Melvin Edward and Alice (Albright) Thompson.

Ron met his wife, Lorene, during his high school years in Austin, Minn. They were married May 5, 1951, just after he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served from 1951 to 1954, and was a Korean War veteran. He worked in the insurance industry while living in Austin. Upon moving to Rochester, Minn., he was district manager for H&R Block for 25 years. Ron retired at age 56 due to heath problems.

After retirement, Ron and his wife moved to Fort Myers. He was a member of Whiskey Creek Country Club where he enjoyed golf and bridge with his many friends. He loved following sports of any kind. Ron was a member of the Elks Club for many years and belonged to Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Myers from its inception.

Ron is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorene; four children, Craig (Jennifer) Thompson of Austin, Carol Weber of Fort Myers, Mark Thompson of Green Bay, Wis., and Scott (Crystal) Thompson of Carefree, Ariz; grandchildren Christie Winter, Tyler Weber, Laurie Thompson Jones, Aaron Dill and Zachary, Jonathon, Ryan, Taylor, Merit and Killian Thompson; three great-grandchildren; four siblings, Daniel (Carol) Thompson of Fairfax, Minn., Wanda (Bud) Overby of Austin, Nancy (Vern) Tripp and Judith Moon of Layton, Utah.

He was predeceased by his son, James, in 1992; his parents, Melvin and Alice; and seven siblings, Tommy, Benny, Lowell, Dick, David, Theo and Sandy.

A memorial service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn., Saturday, July 13 at 11 a.m. Friends are invited to call one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin with military rites later in the day. Friends may sign the guestbook at www.horizonfunerals.com.