Dave Thompson

1940 - 2021

Veteran truck driver Dave Thompson was called out on his final dispatch on Sept. 2, 2021.
Dave was born on April 10, 1940, to Bessie and Arthur Thompson at Chard Railroad Station in Washington. He spent his youth working on the family farm in Prineville, Oregon, and enjoyed spending his summers working on the Tuthill Ranch in Washington. When he was older, he held a variety of jobs including working at his brother's boat shop and as a long-haul trucker for assorted companies including the Colt 45 beer company. He served in the U.S. military transporting missiles for the Nike air defense system from 1956 to 1960, then remained in the reserves until discharge in 1964.
Dave left an immeasurable impact on every person he met. He will be remembered as a trustworthy, sensible guy with a sparkle in his eye, hearty laugh and generous, caring heart. He was an extraordinary man who acted like an ordinary one.
Around 1975, Dave's friends told him he had a job if he moved to Fairbanks. After landing in Fairbanks in -50 weather, his friends fessed up that there was no job. They lied to get him to come up to Alaska. He considered getting an immediate return ticket but then decided to give Fairbanks a chance. Dave started driving trucks due to the booming pipeline industry. He joined Weaver Brothers in 1980 and a cherished career was born driving trucks, including the unforgiving Haul Road. He had a strong work ethic and took passing along his knowledge to new drivers seriously but with humor. In his time with Weaver Brothers he earned the title of No. 1 driver with the North Pole Refinery, which was very well deserved.
After driving for 20 years, Dave became the terminal manager in 2000 until he retired in 2002. Shortly after retirement, he jumped back in his Weaver truck, driving part time and training drivers until 2013.
Dave was a skilled and respected truck driver with the CB handle "Crazy Dave." That handle personified his fun loving, jolly personality. He was always ready for a good laugh and a fun time. He enjoyed listening to music, especially the good stuff, oldies country. His family will remember singing along together to songs by one of his favorites, Roger Miller. He cherished all of his friendships especially with his fellow truck drivers.
Dave met the love of his life, Mercy, which led to 37 happily married years. Together they built their dream home, enjoyed traveling and hosting family gatherings in Fairbanks and the Philippines. Dave was kind and enjoyed joking with everyone including strangers. His family has fond memories of Dave laughing along with others at his attempts to speak Tagalog and squeezing all the family into tricycles and jeepneys for family adventures in the Philippines.
Dave was a dedicated, protective family man. Once when a major storm made roads impassable, he went hand over hand via a steel cable strung over the Russian River and hitchhiked home. When asked why he would go to such extremes, he replied, "It was Christmas and I had to get home to my kids." Dave was happiest with family bustling around him. His family holds vast memories of family reunions, skiing and snowmachine trips to Chatanika with burgers and hot cocoa in the lodge and summer road trips in his Weaver truck with carrot cake stops at Fast Eddies.
One of his greatest gifts was spending time developing close-knit relationships with his children. The closeness they shared will be a lasting legacy to his devotion to his family. Dave's influence lives on in his children's sense of humor, strong work ethic, honesty, generosity and sense of family.
Left to remember him is wife, Mercy; children, Keith (Diane) Thompson, Rick (Gena) Thompson, Kris Thompson and Shellie (Jeremiah) LeVeck; grandchildren, Nicole Thompson, Dylan Thompson, Jaxson LeVeck; great-grandchildren, Elena and Amara; sister, Sue (Ben) Charles; brothers, Art (Wendy) Thompson and Sid (Pauline) Thompson; and numerous other family and friends around the U.S. and Philippines.
Preceding him are his mother, Bessie, and father, Arthur.
We would like to thank Weaver Brothers for their incredible friendship and support throughout the years. We are extremely grateful to be part of the Weaver Brothers extended family. We also want to graciously thank the VA for all their care and support. This allowed Dave to remain living at home which was his deepest desire.
Due to Covid, there will be a small service.
In lieu of flowers, the family has created a fundraiser with the MSA Coalition support.multiplesystematrophy.org/fundraiser/3456945 in Dave's memory. This agency conducts research in an effort to find a cure for the insidious disease which stole Dave away from us way too soon.
Hammer down, Crazy Dave. Over and out.