Roger Harold Thompson

ROGER HAROLD THOMPSON February 23, 1944 to July 10, 2004

When we are born and as we mature, life, its challenges, and all its unique and wonderful mysteries slowly unfold before us. We all know how and when each life begins, but none of us ever know how or when it will end. We only know that it is God's will. So It is with Roger Harold Thompson, whom God let visit us for awhile and now we are left to recall his life and memories and all he meant to us. Roger arrived in this world a little over 60 years ago on February 23, 1944, in Akron, OH. He joined his proud and loving parents, Lillian and Harold and older brother Donald. Roger left this physical world on July 10, 2004. Roger was barely a year old when the family moved to Fresno, CA in 1945. He naturally benefited from a very loving home environment and was encouraged to pursue all that he was interested in. As he was preparing to graduate from Winchell Elementary School he began playing Little League Baseball. Little League gave him many fond memories. Over the years, not the least of which was playing in the same league and time with Wade Blasingame and Tom Seaver. Over the years he managed to tag bases occasionally with Wade. Roger loved to recount many of his more memorable and humorous stories from those days. As Roger grew up he attended Sequoia Middle School. From there he moved on to Roosevelt High School where he graduated as valedictorian of his class of 560 students. Roger was intelligent, articulate and goal oriented. His ambitions loomed large and he enrolled at Fresno State College. Beside maintaining high academic standards he also participated in the university's golf and tennis programs where he excelled. During Roger's time at Fresno State he was a loyal and active member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. After Roger graduated summa cum laude he decided to relax and unwind by traveling throughout Europe for several months with a college buddy of his. After returning from Europe, Roger accepted a position with General Electric's Nuclear Research Lab near Pleasanton, CA. While with G.E. he found a log cabin, which he and his roommates rented. He had many humorous tales he loved to relate about the old log cabin lifestyle. Although he enjoyed working for G.E. he was still seeking something more challenging. In the mid 1960's Roger accepted a position with Pacific Bell as a Programmer. He moved to Sacramento, CA and became the primary developer of specialized custom software programs. Roger developed a number of critical custom programs written primarily in FORTRAN and COBAL, for telephone communication design engineers. As a result of these programs Pacific Bell engineers were able to more accurately estimate the cost involved with implementing materials, personnel and estimating the time required to complete many complex tasks. Roger's work with Pacific Bell was important and unique and when he retired in 1992 as a Senior Engineer, he was truly missed. While Roger was with Pacific Bell, he was a prime organizer, officer and avid participant in a large Pacific Bell Golf Club, which consisted of nearly 200 members. Roger loved the game of golf, as well as tennis and bowling. At one time he was a single digit handicap. Roger will be missed by the many whose lives he touched along his journey. He was also a very stimulating conversationalist who loved to relate humorous life's memories he held so dear. He also loved to discuss pop culture, politics, religion, sports, famous events and nearly any other topic you can imagine. His favorite question was something like, "What are your ten favorite movies of all time?", but it could just as easily be songs, baseball players, presidents, or whatever. Many of the those lives he touched along the way were troubled people less fortunate than he. He was very compassionate when it came to helping others and will always be remembered for his kind and charitable ways. His optimism, quick-wit, enthusiasm and light-hearted approach to life made him fun to be around. Roger is survived by his loving parents, Lillian and Harold Thompson of Fresno; his brother, Donald E. Thompson of Madera; his nephews, Ryan E. Thompson (U.S. Navy) and Kevin W. Thompson of Madera; his niece, Sara M. Thompson of San Francisco; and cousin Carol Grainger of Fresno. Finally perhaps Roger's favorite saying, which we believe really applies to him: "The Best of the Best" Roger you really were. So long for now, son and dear friend. Mom and Dad