Paul Thompson III

THOMPSON LEEDOM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/18/2010 at 22:20:43

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Paul Thompson, III
By Judy K THompson

Paul Thompson, III was born on August 31, 1965, in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, in St Joseph Hospital. Paul is the oldest child of Paul, Jr and Judy Kay (Leedom) Thompson.

When Paul was a child his family moved around a lot. They lived for a time in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sioux City, Iowa; and Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Cocoa, Florida. While they lived in Cocoa, Brevard County, Paul helped his Daddy on their commercial fishing boat. He started school n Rockledge, Florida, on his fifth birthday in 1970.

Paul’s family moved to Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, in December, 1970. In August, 1971, Paul started first grade at Florence Bernd School. He attended school there for two years.

Paul’s family moved to Gordon, Wilkinson County, Georgia, in the summer of 1973. He attended Wilkinson County schools for four years and he became active in school sports. He played midget football and Little League baseball. He was a member of the Gordon United Methodist Church and he became a Webelos Boy Scout.

In August 1977 Paul’s family moved to Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa. Paul attended Edison Middle School for two years where he was on the football and swim teams. He attended ninth grade at Central High School in Waterloo where he played football and was the only freshman member of the varsity swim team. He was presented a plaque for being voted the most improved swimmer on the team for the 1979-80 school year.

While Paul lived in Waterloo he and his family became very active in Boy Scouts. He was a member of Troops 11 and 14 and he was a member of an Explorer Post sponsored by the Air National Guard.

In July 1980 Paul’s family moved to Branford, Suwanee County, Florida. Paul attended Branford High School where he was active in football and track. He joined Future Farmers of America and was on the Farm Mechanics judging team for two years. He became a good welder and earned a trophy for his efforts on the team in the 1981-82 school year. He became quite interested in farming and worked for several farmers in the surrounding area.

Paul was a member of the Branford United Methodist Church. He sang in the church choir and was Vice President of the youth group. He was also an active member of the Methodist Men’s group.

Paul was a member ob Boy Scout Troop 90 in Branford. He held several offices in the troop and was made a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster at the age of 16. He earned the Lifeguard BSA award and was the only registered Boy Scout lifeguard in the Suwanee River District at the time. Paul, his father and his brother, Jesse, were all elected to the Order of the Arrow by the other members of Troop 90. Paul earned many merit badges and awards including a ‘Super Camper’ medal that had only been awarded once before to a member of Troop 90.
1In July 1982 Paul moved with his mother and eight brothers and sisters to Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa. Paul attended North High School for his senior year where he played football and was on the school swim team. He graduated from high school on May 23, 1983.

Paul remained active in Boy Scouts and was a member of Troop 105 in Sioux City. He earned more merit badges bringing his total to 47. On April 20, 1983, Paul passed a board review for the rank of Eagle Scout. On June 23, 1983, a special award ceremony was held at the First United Methodist Church and Paul was presented his Eagle Scout badge. The ceremony was attended by family, friends and dignitaries from the Scout Council.

Paul joined the Navy in November 1982, on the delayed entry program. He left Sioux City on July 24, 1983, and went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center to Chicago, Illinois for boot camp. He was appointed 1st Platoon Leader in Boot Camp. He is currently attending Machinist Mate School in Chicago prior to being stationed in Orlando, Florida, for training as a Nuclear Machinist Mate.