Samuel Ladd Tompson

A proud New Englander, Sam descended from Artemas Ward, first general of the Continental Army. He loved family, country and the Boston Braves (following them to Milwaukee and then Atlanta.) Sam served in Vietnam in the U.S.A.F. as an engine mechanic for the Douglas A-1E Sky Raider, a close support aircraft. He also serviced the KC 97 tanker and the C 121. He spent the rest of his life telling stories about his experiences in Vietnam and the military. Sam, in fact, spent his entire life, telling stories and making up words, for which his children often required translations.
Surviving him are his wife, Carolyn Swallow, who he met near a pig farm in Plano, Illinois and his children Judy, Lisa Dunbrack (Vern), Steven, John, and stepson Erik (Tricia) Swallow. Grandchildren are Abigail and Danika House and Sophia and Eli Stewart-Swallow. He was close to his Maine cousins Bob (Fawn) and Ed Herman and to Darlene and Roy Kvingedal.
His favorite part of retirement and living in Elmhurst was time spent talking to library staff and using resources available from the Elmhurst Public Library. Any donations may be made to the library in his name.
No services will be held. His ashes will be interred at the Central Maine Veteran's Cemetery in Augusta, sometime in the spring.