Marvin O. Thompson

Marvin O. Thompson, 72 Loving Husband, Father, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, Brother, Uncle and Friend

ROCKFORD - Marvin O. Thompson, 72, of Rockford passed away at 2:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born Dec. 31, 1938, in Centerville, Iowa, to Marvin M. and Phyllis (Winger) Thompson. Married Laurece M. Smith on Oct. 7, 1958, in Eudora, Kan. Served in the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic controller. He served from 1958 to 1968, achieving the rank of technical sergeant. After his service in the Air Force, he was employed by Rockford Drop Forge. Later, he worked for the Rockford Board of Education for 20 years before retiring in 1999. After retirement, he enjoyed serving as a campground attendant for the Army Corps of Engineers at Clinton Lake in Lawrence, Kan. He was a member of Brooke Road United Methodist Church. He was loved by all who met him, as he never met a stranger. He had a passion for camping, fishing and flying. His biggest passion, though, was his family. He will be greatly missed by his family and a multitude of friends. Survivors include his wife, Laurece; daughters, Linda Ace, Lisa (Mike) Keller and Lori (Dan) Houston; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bob Mathis) Williams, Stefanie Williams (Douglas) Blanton, Miguel Perez Jr., Danny (Kayla Davis) Keller and Bethany, Nathaniel, Abigail and Emily Houston; great-granddaughter, Gabriella Varcato; brother, Jay Thompson; sister, Penny (Larry) Jones; special canine companion, Sandy; a host of brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and special niece, Kathy DeBrot. Predeceased by his mother; father; and brother, Evan Thompson. Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, in Brooke Road United Methodist Church, 1404 Brooke Road, with visitation from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; Pastor Christopher Druce Jones will officiate. Burial in Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road. Express condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.