Raymond Thompson (Hartville)'s Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Raymond Daniel Thompson
Born 9-3-1919 Passed Away 10-29-2019
Charles and Mary Olive Thompson welcomed their 5th child Raymond Daniel in Hartville, Missouri. He grew up working on the family farm learning strong work ethics rewarding him through out his adult life. The family bought groceries and other supplies at the St. George general store. Often trading eggs or garden vegetables for the items needed at home. Raymond and the other siblings walked 5 miles to the Cope School where he completed his first 8 years of education. Age 13 he and his Dad moved to Jerome Idaho and he continued his education. Ray Graduated from Jerome High School in the class of 1939. Raymond wanted to go to college, he worked and saved enough for his books but the living expenses were too much. The war started so he signed up in the Army Air Corps on September 17, 1940. His training started and by September 22, 1942, he was a mechanic. He became an Aviation Cadet in July of 1943 and served overseas as a pilot 2nd Lieutenant in the 390 Bombardment Group (H). Raymond completed first 27 missions 110:5 flight hours and a second mission of 19 total of both missions over 2 hundred flight hours. He received numerous medals in recognition of outstanding service. After returning home with his Honorable Discharge. He signed up again, entered Instructor School and trained the future pilots for the Korean War. Once again, he left the Army Air Corps, but continued flying crop-dusting planes for several years in Colorado with his brother Joe while also reloading ammunition and traveling. The big one was going to the coffee shop every day, which he did until he entered the Hospital in Lebanon. Raymond was preceded in death by both parents, siblings Mildred, Edna, Chester, Eva, Joe, Perry, Lovell, and Linda (aka Lendy). He is survived by Cousin Betty Hanson and husband, Floreen Cantrell, Donnie Hudson and wife, sister-in-law Norma Thompson. Three nieces and numerous third generation relatives.
We will miss “Uncle Ray”, his humor, sharing a cup of coffee, stories, driving his car after he turned 100, and volumes of knowledge. I ask him if there was anything he would like to have done. He answered “I wanted to fly planes and I did, I wanted to repair watches, I did. I guess not”.
Ephesians 2:13 Therefor I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
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