Gordon Thompson

KNOXVILLE - Gordon Thompson, 95, of Knoxville, Ill., died at 1:10 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2015, at Heartland Health Care Center, surrounded by loving family members.

He was born Aug. 26, 1919, in rural Elmwood, the son of George Samuel Thompson and Bertha Graham Thompson. He had three brothers, Paul Thompson of Hanna City, Sidney Thompson of Elmwood and John Thompson of Smithfield, R.I. Gordon graduated from Elmwood High School in 1937, and from the University of Illinois in 1941, with honors. Gordon married Doris Lee Ellison on July 9, 1950, in Decatur, Ill. They enjoyed 62 years of blessed marriage, however, Lee preceded him in death on Dec. 28, 2012.

He is survived by three sons, David B. (Kyle) Thompson of Greensburg, Ind., Dana E. (Carol) Thompson of Elgin, Ill., and Donald P. (Marcia) Thompson of South Elgin, Ill.; and three daughters, Diane R. Shea of Sullivan, Ill., Donna M. (Greg) Mathews of Galesburg, Ill., and Denise A. (Trace) Tucker of Versailles, Ind. Gordon was also blessed with 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with another expected in August.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brothers and his grandson, Tanner Lee Tucker.

Gordon enlisted in the U.S. Army in July of 1941, after graduating from the University of Illinois ROTC program, and served in active duty full time until March of 1946. He then served 25 years as a reserve officer, graduating from the Command and General Staff College Associate Course, specializing in field artillery. He also served as a reserve instructor for 10 years.

Gordon retired in 1971 with the rank of colonel. Gordon served as an Agricultural Adviser Specialist for Youth in Winnebago County, and took a similar position in Knox County in 1949. He operated a personal insurance agency in Knoxville for more than 50 years, and he was also a former school bus driver for the Knoxville School District.

Gordon possessed a heart for service to his church, his community and his country. He was a past board chairman and moderator for the First Baptist Church of Galesburg, where he has been a member since 1955. He taught Sunday School there for more than 30 years, and he was a past treasurer and president of the Galesburg Conference of Churches. Gordon was a past PTA president at the Mable Woolsey Elementary School. He was a College's Dean's Club member and a member of the University's President's Council at the University of Illinois. He was the chairman of the College of Agriculture Class of '41 Alumni Committee, as well as the chairman of Hill Hall Alumni. Gordon established family scholarship programs at both the Colleges of ACES (Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences) at the University of Illinois, as well as at Judson University (the alma mater for five of his six children). Gordon was also a 30-year member and past president of the Galesburg Men's Church Bowling League.

His other hobbies included collecting antique postcards, gardening and playing horseshoes. His most treasured moments included spending time with his family and loved ones.

Memorials may be made to the Tanner Tucker Memorial Scholarship or the Galesburg Rescue Mission.

Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.