Gary Thompson

GARY THOMPSON

Coggon

Gary Hayes Thompson, 65, of Coggon, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, March 14, 2014, at Premiere Estate Care Center, Toledo, Iowa. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 21, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Central City. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the funeral home. Inurnment: Coggon Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah; daughters, Jessica (Jason) Hilton of Ryan and Rebekah (Lee) Burkhardt of Homer, Alaska; seven grandchildren, Adeline, Abigail, Amanda, Sadie, Kaleb, Jennie and one unborn grandson, due in July; and siblings, Wayne Thompson, Bruce Thompson and Deb Thompson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Claire (Thompson) Pitts.

Gary was born Feb. 23, 1949, in Franklin, N.H., the son of Malcolm and Margaret (Reed) Thompson. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1967 and attended Plymouth State University for one year. Gary joined the U.S. Navy in 1969 and retired after eight years of service. He married Deborah Steele on Jan. 9, 1971.

Gary worked for Exelon Corp. for 20 (1979 to 1999) as a radiation protection instructor. He later took classes through Liberty Home Bible Institute and graduated in 2007, with a certificate in General Bible Studies.

Gary was a devoted husband, gentle father, fun-loving grandpa and fervent witness for Christ. He sought the Lord's instruction daily and selflessly gave his time and resources to fulfill his Savior's will. A day would not pass without his watching for his Savior's return and just in case, he made sure to eat his dessert first. One of his favorite sayings was, "Maybe today!"

Gary was in awe of God's creation and he enjoyed peering through his telescope at the immense beauty in the sky. He spent countless hours reading and studying his Bible and truly understood the gift he was given when Christ paid it all on Calvary's cross. His life was not his own, and he used his gifts of singing and ministering to the glory of God.

It was his selfless spirit that led him to serve his country in the United States Navy. It was that same spirit that allowed him to use his gifts to touch the lives in his neighborhoods, churches, local nursing homes, homeless shelters and even at his job as a Wal-Mart greeter, often cheering up customers with his infectious smile. Gary gave his all for his family, friends and often strangers, but his true passion was for those who did not know Christ. He lived to hear the words from his Savior, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

The family would also like to thank those who cared for Gary at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, St. Luke's Hospital, Virginia Gay Hospital, Monticello Care Center, Linn Manor and Premiere Estate Care Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or www.wounded warriorproject.org.

Please sign the online guest book for Gary at www.murdochfuneral home.com under obit-uaries.