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Kaye 'Don' Thompson
KAYE "DON" THOMPSON
Cedar Rapids
Kaye D. "Don" Thompson passed away Monday, March 23, 2015, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at 81 years of age.
Don was born Jan. 25, 1934, in Wichita, Kan., spent his childhood in Bartlesville, Okla., and graduated high school in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Don served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army, stationed in Japan. Upon his return from service, he married Evelyn Joan Pearson on Aug. 17, 1957, and graduated from Drake University in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Don and Evelyn made their home in Fort Dodge where Don took over the family business, H.K. Thompson Oil Company, until his retirement in the early 1990s.
Don was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder and a member of the church choir. He was also a member of the Fort Dodge Civic Glee Club with his wife, Evelyn, and a member of the Fort Dodge Rotary Club.
The Thompsons spent their retirement living at Twin Lakes, Iowa; Cave Creek, Ariz.; and later Sun City Ariz. Don was an avid genealogist, tracing his wife's family history and his own family's roots to the Mayflower pilgrims. Don was proud to share that he was a direct descendant of Oceanus Hopkins, the first baby born en route to the New World.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Howard K. and Helen S. Thompson; and son-in-law, the Rev. Alvis H. Styron II.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn; three children, Sara Jane Thompson, Carol Jean Styron and Philip Howard (Cherie) Thompson; and six grandchildren Christina, Kirsten, Kyle, Katie, Helaina and Corey. Don is also survived by his sister, Susan Thompson (Bill) Wahl of Social Circle, Ga.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. A visitation will be held directly following the service at the chapel from 5:30 until 7 p.m.
Memorials in Don's name may be made to the American Heart Association or the First Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Ariz.
Online condolences may be sent at www.cedar
memorial.com.
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