Daniel Thompson

1947 - 2022

Daniel Emerson Thompson was born Jan. 24, 1947, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Emma Jean and George E. Thompson.
Dan was the oldest of three brothers. His brother George and then Patrick soon followed. He grew up in both Fairbanks, Alaska, and Kansas City, Missouri. He spent his grade school years in Fairbanks and then junior high school and high school in Kansas City. Every summer was spent in Fairbanks. Dan went to the University of Notre Dame until his father passed away unexpectedly.
At 19 he was thrust into the world of business. Dan and his brother George and his mother Emma Jean took charge of his father's business, Alaska Music Company, later called Vend Alaska. It was a turbulent time for them, but they prevailed and went on to expand into the Anchorage area. When his partners wanted to retire, he bought them out and stood at the helm of his company for 56 years. Dan sold the Anchorage company to his employees who went on to become his partners and who he greatly respected and wanted to succeed.
Dan met and married Yvette Brazeau in 1980, and they had five children: George, Michele, Tawnee, Joshua and Megan.
Dan loved and supported Fairbanks and the great state of Alaska. He was active in the Downtown Association and was very proud of the Bridge of Flags. Dan served on the board of Denali State Bank for several decades and really felt that they represented what a bank should be. He was on Monroe Foundation board for years and tried to never miss a HIPOW. Dan served on the board of the North Star Dance Foundation also for decades. He worked very hard toward expanding to the lovely Artisans Courtyard that they now occupy. He believed in the importance of FRA and served on its board for years and always looked forward to their annual City Walk Fundraiser. Becoming a Rotarian in the early 80s was so important to him. Dan was very loyal to these and several other organizations. He brought a kind and reasoned calmness to his leadership that was admired by many.
Summers and holidays spent at Birch Lake growing up shaped him and he always dreamed of one day living there.
Dan broke his back at 14 and had it fused at 15. He was diagnosed at 30 with MS but never let these hurdles stop him from doing his best to keep moving forward. Dan grew up a devout Catholic and remained so throughout his life. He enjoyed learning about Catholicism and about the history of humanity and particularly about the Roman Empire and his Irish and Scottish genealogy.
Dan is survived by his wife of 41 years, Yvette; children, George Thompson, Michele (Diego) Kelly, Tawnee Thompson (Conner Means), Joshua (Jessica) Thompson and Megan (Robert) Campbell; his brothers, George (Ellen) Thompson and Patrick (Teeya) Thompson. Their children, Jennifer (Chuck) Keil, Jean Fuller (children Olivia and Brendan), Alice Thompson, Belle Thompson (children Emmett and Tyler), Ivanna Thompson (child Kaleb), and Emerson Thompson. Grandchildren: Elena, Ophelia, Lyra Campbell, Fiona, Oscar and Sonja Kelly and Florence Means.
Other beloved relatives are the Brazeaus, the Persingers, the Schwartzwalds, the Aguileras, the Fentons, the Machionnes, the Websters and the Walraths.
We thank the Home Health Workers and the Hospice workers for their assistance with caring for Dan at home. Dan was able to die at home with his family Feb. 28, 2022. He will be missed terribly; he was the calm center of our universe.
His funeral mass will be 11?a.m. Saturday, March 19, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 1300 Peger Road.
There will be a reception downstairs directly after his service. Dan will be laid to rest alongside his mother, Emma Jean, and his in-laws, Eugene (Buzz) Brazeau and Doris and Wally Walrath, this summer.