Maxine Thompson

E. Maxine Thompson
1931 - 2024
E. Maxine Thompson, 96, of Cameron, passed away November 7, 2024. Maxine was born to Thelma (Potter) and Chester Curtis on the farm south of Cameron, MO. They moved to Cameron in 1931 where Maxine enjoyed McKinley elementary and Cameron High schools. After graduating in 1946, she attended Baker University for one year, then back to Cameron and taught Oak Grove country school one year.
In 1948 she married Owen "Gene" Thompson. They lived in Rolla where he was a student at MO School of Mines and Maxine was librarian at the MO Geological Survey for the next three years. With Owen's help, she became an amateur radio operator,"Ham", WOCCK, then WSYRT and WAGBQV.
Their first son, Lorin, was born in Springfield, Max and Curtis in Tyler, and Otis joined the family in San Bruno, CA. Maxine treasured her sons' scouting, swimming, and school activities and served as Den mother, swim team activity and PTA. During these years, she and sons were members of Burlingame Methodist Church where Maxine taught Sunday school classes, attended Bible study, and finally sang in the choir. When Otis entered first grade, she attended San Francisco State University earning BA and MA degrees, CA teaching and reading specialist's credentials. The family enjoyed trips to MO visiting grandparents on the farm, camping in Baja CA, Mexico, and National and State Parks, and Sunday afternoon family roller skating. Maxine joined Owen for two visits to the Philippines while he was working there including a trip to Borneo up the Kayan River. For 8 years, she taught a variety of subjects at Parkside Junior High School in San Bruno including Family Life, 6" grade girls' P.E., English, and served as advisor to the yearbook staff.
After the marriage ended, she moved to Morgan Hill, CA, where she taught English and Basic Writing Skills in Britton Middle School for 8 years. When her mother's health required help, Maxine moved back to Missouri building a home on the corner of her parents' farm. During the next years she treasured time with her parents, Curtis, Max, and granddaughters who lived in the area. There were trips back to California visiting Lorin and Otis there. As well as substituting in Cameron schools, she was appointed to and served on the Missouri Dental Board as Public Member for 9 years. She realized her goal of visiting all 50 states as well as all 7 continents. Volunteering filled many hours.The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, delivering meals-on-wheels for Cameron Nutrition Site, tutoring students at Cameron Middle School, teaching Sunday School classes (both adult and children, singing in the choir, and other activities in her churches, and as volunteer at the Cameron Veterans Home. She was a Century Society member (150 donations) of the Community Blood Center.
Maxine bequeathed her body to science to continue teaching.
There will be no services.
Memorials may be made to the Cameron Public Library or St. Munchin Catholic Church in Cameron.