Harry Thompson

Harry E. Thompson
Newburgh, Ind.
Harry E. Thompson, 94, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2011, at the Terraces of Solarbron. He was born September 5, 1917, to Harry A. and Bessie (Clark) Thompson in a stagecoach inn, National Rd., Decatur County, Indiana, near St. Omer. Harry served in the United States Army, 1942-1946, and was promoted to Captain, field promotion, Infantry in the Southwest Pacific Theater.
He was awarded the Certificate of Achievement from the Center for Advanced Study at the Brookings Institute in Washington, DC, from 1953-1954. Harry received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration split major in marketing and management from Evansville College in 1958.
Harry served in the Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana State Senate between 1969 and 1976, and served as a Speaker of the House for the Indiana Older Hoosiers Assembly beginning in 1978.
During his life he was co-owner of Sunburst Stained Glass in Newburgh; Vice President of Marketing and Industrial Development, Old National Bank from 1959-1981; President of Old National Realty and Insurance; and Research Director and Executive Director of the Evansville Committee of 100, Inc. from 1952-1955.
He served on many boards including Advisory Council Member of Southwestern Indiana Landmarks from 2003-2004, Director of Historic Newburgh, Inc., Chairman of the Newburgh Historic Preservation Commission, and Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Visiting Nurses Association.
Harry received the Older Hoosier of the Year award in 1996. He was Senior Appraiser of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers, Inc., and Regional Vice President of the Ohio Valley Improvement Association. He served as an Advisor to the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana in 2004, and won the Urban Conservationist Award for contribution to the community in the area of Conservation in 1977. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award and the Confederacy of the Indiana Sachems Award from Gov. Edgar D. Whitcomb in 1971.
He was also a member of the Evansville Jaycees, Director of the Downtown Civitan Club, Jaycees Oldtimers, Elks Club, and Lambda Chi Alpha.
Harry is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Bessie Thompson; wife, Mildred; and a brother, Charlie Thompson. He is survived by three daughters, Elaine Azwell (Richard), Jane Johansen (Nils), Sue Morrison (William); grandchildren, Linda Azwell (Alan Riedel), John Azwell, Paige McFarling (Douglas), Mary Colvin; six great-grandchildren; sister, Louella Wright (Robert); brother, Leonard Thompson (Fran); sister-in-law, Mareta Thompson; and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church, 609 S.E. 2nd St., Evansville. The Reverends Wendy McCormick and Kevin Fleming will be officiating, and burial will follow at Blue Grass Cemetery.
Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, at the Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Simpson Chapel, 510 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, Indiana (812) 853-8314, and from 9 a.m. to service time at church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harry Thompson Scholarship Fund at University of Southern Indiana, Patchwork Central, or Historic Newburgh, Inc. Condolences may be made online at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com