Thompson III, George Edward 'Tommy'

George Edward “Tommy” Thompson III of Iowa City passed away Monday, March 18, 2013, at his home. Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City (with Sunday parking available). Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m.

Online condolences can be sent to his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Tommy was born Oct. 13, 1926, in Waterloo, Iowa, son of George Edward II and Maria “Mary” (Koloc) Thompson. He married Charlotte K Thompson on June 6, 1950, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City. He and K raised their two children, Tami and Stephen in Iowa City.

Tommy was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, attending 751 football games since his first game in 1938. He was a great supporter of the Iowa wrestling team and crafted numerous championship belt buckles over the years. Tommy loved Hawkeye athletics, football, basketball and wrestling! He was inducted as an honorary letterman in 1986.

Tommy grew up and attended Catholic School in Cedar Rapids. He joined the Ice Capades in his late teens, skating until a fall that broke his shoulder put an end to his skating career. After skating, Tommy served stateside in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist mate during World War II.

He was a pro golfer and attempted to join the pro tour. In the early 1950s, Tommy and K owned and ran Tommy's Golf Range next to the Iowa City Airport until a required airport expansion forced their closing.

Tommy joined the Cherry Burrell Corp. in Cedar Rapids as a toolmaker/welder and worked with them until his retirement in the early 1990s.

Tommy is survived by his two children, Stephen Thompson and his wife, Molly (Shannon), of Eagle River, Alaska and Tami Rinehart and her husband, Don, of New River, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Michael Thompson, Stephanie Powell and husband Edward, Christopher Rinehart and Nicole Irving and husband Nicholas; two great- grandchildren, Lawrence “Holden” and Shayla Powell; his sister, Patricia Eichenberg of Albuquerque, N.M.; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Charlotte K Thompson (Fisk) in 2001.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Tommy's family and his services.

Published March 21, 2013 in The Gazette