A. Milton "Tommy" Thompson Jr.

A. Milton "Tommy" Thompson Jr. passed away Thursday, June 27, 2013, after a brief illness, surrounded by family and friends at his home near Hamer.

He was born June 22, 1927, in Roberts, Idaho, to Fern Rider and Aaron Milton Thompson, Sr. He graduated high school in Hamer, after missing a year of school because of polio, which left him with a small limp.

On October 9, 1946, he married Deoine Bates of Rigby. They honored their vows for 66 years before she died in 2012. They first made their home in Dubois, where Milt was the government trapper. He then worked for the U.S.D.A. Sheep Experiment Station for a few years, before returning to Hamer to work on farms. He returned to the "Sheep Station" in 1958 and worked there until he retired in 1979. At his retirement party he said: "I'm going somewhere that nobody knows me. Everybody wants me to work. I've been working for 50 years." Milt was a 4-H leader, teaching welding and the intricacies of small engines to generations of youth. He liked to square dance and supported many community programs.

He "retired" to Hamer and worked for another 34 years as a farmer, horse breeder, mechanic, builder, plumber, repairman and back-hoe operator. He assisted with building homes for his son and two of his grandchildren.

He loved to attend the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas with good friends Bill and Charlotte Laycock.

In his late 60s, he went to Honduras with his brother, Jake, on a service mission for the Seventh Day Adventist Church. They built a dormitory for a school in a remote area. He spent many winters helping Jake plumb rest homes and hospitals in Washington. He also traveled to Australia three times to visit his son Don and to Alaska with his friend Dan France.

He was a supporter of his grandchildren's horse shows, rodeos and ball games.

Wherever he went he made life-long friends who kept in close contact with him. He made a big difference in the lives of many people. In 2012, he and Deoine were named "Outstanding Citizens of the Year" by the Hamer Lions Club for their community service.

Milt is survived by son, Don (Yabbo) Thompson of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; daughter, Kay (Bill) Slavin of Carmen; grandchildren, Lori Smith, Kim Thompson, Chani (Dennis) Lucardi, Ravi Thompson, Kristi (Brent) Hibbert, Holly (Zane) Davis, Shawn (Larae) Burtenshaw; stepgrandchildren, Jennifer (Jake) Zollinger and Stephanie Slavin; sister-in-law, Jerry Colvin; and 17 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and many cousins, nieces and nephews who all had a special relationship with him as "Uncle Tom." He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Deoine; siblings; infant daughter; son, Neal; and son-in-law, Mike Burtenshaw.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 3, at the Hamer LDS Chapel. The family will meet with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday prior to services, both at the church. Interment will be in Rigby Pioneer Cemetery under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mud Lake Senior Center, Hospice of Eastern Idaho, or to your local 4-H Club.

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