Francis Thompson

1945 - 2018

Francis Loren Thompson II
July 25, 1945-April 9, 2018
Francis Loren Thompson II passed away April 9, 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Francis was a friendly and outgoing man who will be best remembered and missed by the hundreds of students that he taught over his 38 year teaching career at Elmer Wood Elementary school in Atwater and by the many friends he made in the Merced and Atwater communities. He will be sorely missed.
Francis was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on July 25, 1945 but lived in many cities in the United States due to his father's enlistment in the Air Force. He graduated from Merced High School, played golf for Merced College, and graduated from California State University, Stanislaus. He asked his first wife, Helen Ann Silveira, to marry him on their first date, married, raised two sons, and lived happily with Helen until her passing in 2005. He lovingly wed his second wife, Normelita Capuras, in 2008 and helped to raise her son, Nathaniel, until his passing. Both spouses provided Francis with what he long for most in life, a loving friendship, and he was eternally thankful for the time he spent with both.
Francis signed his first teaching contract at the age of 21 before he'd even graduated from college. Over the next 38 years, Francis took pride preparing his students to meet life's challenges both academically and socially. He fought for and supported outdoor education at Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School at Green Meadows, coached numerous soccer, baseball, and track teams, and worked tirelessly to improve his students' literacy seeing that as their "ticket to a better world". Away from school, Francis enjoyed many a round of golf, cooking for charitable events, carving intricate woodworking designs, and most of all a good boxed wine and hours of conversation with his many friends. His jovial wit and intelligence enlivened many meetings, campfires, and get-togethers, and each became less compelling with his absence.
Funeral services for Francis will take place April 21, 2018 at 12:00 P.M. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 1799 Winton Way in Atwater with the interment following at Winton Cemetery, 7651 W. Almond Ave at 1:30 P.M.. In lieu of flowers, Francis asked that donations be directed to the Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School at Green Meadows through the Merced County Education Foundation.
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