James Bernard Compton

COMPTON, JAMES BERNARD, 85, of Louisville, died Friday, December 24, 2004, at Christopher East Nursing Home. He was a proud US Army veteran and one of the first sent overseas during World War II with a tour of duty in Iceland, followed by service in Texas training other soldiers. He retired from Kentucky Utilities, having worked as an operations executive and, earlier, in engineering at its facilities near Carrollton, KY, Harrodsburg, KY, and Central City, KY. He was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Tida and Austin Compton of Axtel, KY; his older sister, Mary Nally (Frank) of Shawnee Mission, KS; and his younger brother and best friend, Paul Compton (Eleanor) of Carrollton. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mabel Thomas Pryor Compton; two sons, Michael Compton of Salvisa, KY, and Ralph Thomas Compton (Karen) of Louisville; four daughters, Patricia Matsunaga (Jim) of Indianapolis, IN, and Brenda Sue Bryant (Ellis), Rita Blandford (Cletus) and Denise Cripe (Richard), all of Louisville; a stepsister, Joyce Verstraete (Robert) of Shawnee, KS; seven cherished grandchildren, Theresa Matsunaga (Scott Kowalski) of Grayslake, IL, Matthew Blandford of Murray, KY, and Dan and Lee Blandford, Kristen and Courtney Cripe and Kimberly Compton, all of Louisville; and numerous nieces and nephews. His funeral Mass will be held at noon Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Arch L. Heady & Son, Hikes Point. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes.