Tollef Thompson

Lifelong Kenai resident Tollef Ward Thompson, 45, died Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, when a fire consumed his homestead cabin in Nikiski.

A gathering for family will be at noon Saturday at the home of Stan and Donnis Thompson. At 2 p.m. the house will be opened up for friends and guests. For directions call 776-8721. Those wishing to pay their respects who cannot attend are invited to gather from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the King's Inn, Meeting Room, 10352 Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai to share memories of Tollef. His remains will be returned to his beloved homestead property when the wildflowers are blooming and the trout are biting.

Mr. Thompson was born July 9, 1964, the third child of Stanley W. and Donnis S. (Stark) Thompson in Kenai. He was a graduate of Kenai Central High School where he was an active member of the band and an award-winning swimmer.

Mr. Thompson attended college at Washington State University and Pepperdine University and graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went on to finish his master's degree in psychology from Boston City College.

Mr. Thompson was an accomplished pianist and prolific composer, having written at least 1,000 songs. He is remembered as saying, "My whole life has been about music." Mostly at home in the woods, he enjoyed trapping, hiking and canoeing and he worked on a commercial fishing boat every summer.

"Tollef was charming and charismatic, patient and kind," wrote the family.

Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife, Jody Doyle; parents, Stan and Donnis Thompson; brothers, Eric, Tucker and Tok Thompson; sister, Teri Rozzell; sisters-in-law, and Colette and Gelila Thompson; he also leaves his two daughters, Teilyn and Thea Thompson; and stepdaughter and son, Chelsa and Connor Paulk.

Arrangements are with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.