THOMPSON, Gene A. 1949-2017

THOMPSON, MUNSON, WEBER

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 4/12/2017 at 09:52:16

Services:
Saturday, April 1 at First Baptist Church of Waterloo

Cemetery:
Interment in Waterloo Cemetery

Memorials:
First Baptist Church or Cedar Valley Hospice

Biography--

Gene A. Thompson, 67, of Dike, died Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at his home after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was born November 15, 1949 in New Hampton, Iowa, son of Raymond and Leona Munson Thompson. Gene grew up on an acreage outside of New Hampton. They lived near the golf course and with not much else to occupy his time, Gene burned a lot of childhood days hitting golf ball after golf ball. He attended country school with his mother, who was a one-room schoolhouse teacher, until fifth grade when he entered New Hampton public school.

Gene was a member of the New Hampton High School golf team, where he put all those days of hitting golf balls to good use and was conference champion his senior year. He was also on the football team. Gene played guitar in a garage rock band called “The Hardtimes,” before graduating in 1968.

He attended NIACC in Mason City where he continued his golfing career and obtained his AA in 1970. He then enrolled at Mankato State College in Minnesota, where he would graduate from in 1972 with a degree in Elementary Education. While researching schools where he could complete his student teaching, he noticed a flyer posted in the student union offering an opportunity to student teach in Mexico City. He would be teaching English to the children of ambassadors and other foreign professionals. He taught there for two months and, along with a friend, was able to spend Spring Break in Chiapas, Mexico, home of the Mayan ruins.

Gene then taught fifth grade for a year in Springfield, Iowa, before accepting a job teaching P.E. in Melbourne, Australia, where he taught for a year and a half.

Gene returned to the United States in 1976 and sold insurance for a year in New Hampton before deciding to resume his teaching career. He taught for a year in Dubuque before moving to Waterloo and teaching at Elk Run Heights Elementary School.

On June 22, 1996 Gene married Judy Weber at First Baptist Church in Waterloo. Gene retired in 2007.

Gene was a member of First Baptist Church in Waterloo where he played in Band of Light and was a member of the choir, and a member of the Dike Library Board, where he was president for two years. He was known as one of the best golfers at the Fox Ridge Golf Course, member of WEA, loved playing the guitar and was an accomplished and talented musician.

Gene is survived by his wife, Judy Thompson, of Dike; a brother, Kenneth (Pat) Thompson, of Waterloo; a sister, Marcia (Larry) Pitzenberger, of New Hampton; a sister‑in‑law, Wanda (Greg) Hoeppner, of New Hartford; a brother‑in‑law, Dean Weber, of Waterloo; and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and parents‑in‑law, Dorothy & Harold Weber.

Source: Locke Funeral Home