Obituary of Raymond Ault Thompson

Raymond A. Thompson passed on to his heavenly home on June 30, 2015, after a short illness. Ray was born in Mt. View, Missouri to Henry and Alta Thompson and moved with his family to Gooding, Idaho when he was 5 years old. He was a little brother to Everett, Kenneth, and J.E., and a big brother to Betty (Willard). He married his high school sweetheart, Pat Van Dorn, in 1951. Dad was a beloved minister of the United Methodist Church for 43 years--37 years as an ordained UMC pastor and six as an itinerate pastor before he was ordained. He served churches in Apple Valley, Weiser, Fruitland, Rupert, Boise (Whitney UMC), Twin Falls, and Caldwell, Idaho; Denver and Erie Colorado, Portland (Montavilla UMC), Oregon, and Renton (Skyway UMC), Washington before his retirement in 1992. Dad was known for his innovation and community mindedness as a pastor, and for his warmth and humor as a person. He felt one of his most important roles was to call on his parishioners at their homes and places of business, and was faithful in hospital visitation as well. He served as chaplain at various times in such varied places as hospitals, hospice, the old Idaho prison, and with the Portland Fire Department. He was even an instructor of history in the prison for a short time! After his retirement, Dad enjoyed being a docent and hospitality coordinator at the Boeing Museum of Flight in Seattle, where he was thrilled to meet several international celebrities including Chuck Yeager, Henry Kissinger, Princess Di, and John Travolta, to name a few. He fulfilled a life-long dream when he became a pilot, and loved flying and everything associated with it. He used to take his young family to the Burley and Boise airports for a ‘fun evening out’ lying on the hood of the car, watching the planes land! He was an avid gardener as well, and his yard was enjoyed by neighbors and passersby no matter where he lived. From the time we were little he taught us to mow and weed our yard meticulously. After his first marriage ended, Dad married Barbara Strain in 1978. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2010. In the last few years, Dad and Pat reconciled, a true testament to Christian love, and he cared for her by driving her to her many doctors’ appointments and eating together each evening until her death in 2014. Dad was well characterized as “eager, enthusiastic, thoughtful, serious, and best of all, humorous” by one dear friend. He was beloved by each of his congregations, and in more recent years, by local waitresses, cashiers, neighbors, and anyone else he had contact with. His ready smile and great sense of humor were widely enjoyed. He is survived by three children, Dr. Tim (Sylvia) Thompson of Twin Falls, Terry Thompson of Homer, Alaska, and Tammy (Roger) Martin of McMinnville, Oregon, former daughter-in-law, Gayle Bean, one step-son, Larry Strain of Seattle and a step-daughter-in-law, Terri Burnett; grandkids, Aaron (Sarah) Thompson, Nathan (Tasha) Thompson, Scott (Kelsey, fiancée) Thompson, Vanessa (Adrian) Montgomery, Nick (Arwen) Martin, Chris (Shayna) Martin and Ben Martin; step-grandkids Monty, Justin and Danny (Mary) Strain; seven great-grandkids, Jake, Katie, Jackson, Avery, James, Duncan and Patrick; nephews and nieces too numerous to name, as well as countless special friends he made over the course of his life. He was preceded in death by first wife Pat (Van Dorn) Higgins, second wife Barbara Strain Thompson, his parents, his brothers JE and Everett, and his sisters Betty and little Viola. The family is especially grateful to Dad’s doctors, Drs. Harris and Fortuin, and the nursing staff and hospitalists at St. Luke’s, particularly Dr. Rau, for their tender care during Dad’s last days. Dad’s memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 10, at First United Methodist Church, 360 Shoshone St. E., Twin Falls, ID 83301. Arrangements are being made by Rosenau Funeral Home, and the service may be seen online at their website, rosenaufuneralhome.com following the service. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the First United Methodist Church, 360 Shoshone St. E., Twin Falls, ID 83301, or the American Cancer Society.