Howard Donald Thompson

Howard, follower of Christ, eternally devoted husband, loving father, and supportive

grandfather went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 26,

2019.

Howard was born on February 21,1928 to Knute and Josephine Thompson in Froid,

Montana. He was the youngest of eight children raised on a homestead in northeastern

Montana and graduated from a Christian boarding high school named Hillcrest Lutheran

Academy in Fergus Falls, MN.

He met his sweetheart and “Honey,” Elaine J. Christensen, through mutual friends while

visiting his brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Doris Thompson, who were students at

Seattle Pacific College. Howard and Elaine dated and eventually the city girl visited the

wilds of Montana and agreed to marry her handsome cowboy. They married in Seattle

on November 23, 1951. Even though Howard had grown up in a loving, Christian home,

he did not consider himself a Christian when he met Elaine. However, through Elaine’s

invitation to a Billy Graham Crusade, he surrendered his life to Christ.

During their first nine months of marriage, they lived on the Thompson farm in Froid,

Montana until Howard was drafted into the Army. He served in the Korean War as a

radio operator and was honorably discharged three years later as a Sergeant. Before

his discharge, he was encouraged by his commanding officer to attend Officer

Candidate School to become an Army officer. He was very honored by this, however,

he declined the offer as he wanted to devote his time and energy to be a family man.

When Howard returned from the Army, he and Elaine moved to Missoula, Montana to

open a hamburger restaurant called Dairy Way. Eventually, Dairy Way turned into

Howard’s Drive-In. Years later, Howard decided to attend Montana State University to

earn his BA in Business, but later changed his major to Mathematics and eventually

earned an MA in Mathematics. Howard and Elaine moved to Seattle when he was hired

to teach math at Meany Junior High in the Seattle Public Schools. During the summers,

he would travel with his family to Montana to complete his graduate degree.

Howard came from a family of creative woodworkers and using his mathematical skills

along with his love for carpentry, he built an addition to his home. He enjoyed this

project over several years with the help of his several friends and even included the

help of his children. Always the teacher, he taught his children the value of a solid work

ethic.

Howard attended University of Washington to earn his principal certificate and soon

after became Assistant Principal at Ingraham High School from 1977 - until retirement.

He loved working with students and faculty alike and they loved him in return. He was

known to break up student fights as well as to get to the bottom of student mischief

through his detective skills and sense of humor. Howard also mentored new principals

and found it to be a joy as he empowered them to become strong leaders. Additionally,

Howard coached Ingraham’s Academic Decathlon team for several years and had the

privilege of taking the team to several competitions.

Howard led a full life serving Jesus and enjoying fellowship at Shoreline Covenant

Church. He served on the SCC’s board as Board Chair, a Deacon, taught youth and

adult Sunday School and was a youth leader to high school students. As a tenor, he

sang in the church choir with his wife, Elaine. After Elaine’s passing in September 8,

2001, Howard spent the next 18 years visiting men who were homebound by illness,

participating in a men’s prayer group, and serving as a Men’s Bible Study leader with

Bible Study Fellowship International.

Howard’s love of working with wood was expressed through his wood carvings. Each

piece he carved reflected his appreciation for God’s beauty in nature, for horses and

their interaction with humans, and for his Scandinavian heritage. He often found “just

the right piece of wood” for his carvings during his camping trips with his family at Alta

Lake State Park and Fort Casey State Park. Howard also crafted several treasured

pieces for his grandchildren, such as beds, a rocking horse, a toy box and a doll cradle.

During Howard’s retirement years, he and Elaine would travel in their motorhome

through the states as they visited their children and their extended family. They both

loved and valued their time with family and always looked forward to attending the

Thompson Family Reunions at Inspiration Bible Camp in Minnesota.

After Elaine’s passing in 2001, Howard continued his adventures. He had a dream of

climbing Mt. Rainier and, with the help of two dear friends, he almost reached that goal

at the age of 75. He continued to enjoy hiking with family and friends, which included

Mt. Adams in 2002 and various trails in the Pacific NW. Howard was very intentional

about keeping in shape, hiking up Mt. Si on a regular basis with a weighted backpack.

He also consistently trained for many years at Harbor Square in Edmonds, until the age

of 90. Howard also had a dream of visiting the Holy Land and was given the opportunity

to fulfill that dream with friends in 2013. He continued to enjoy traveling near and far to

be with his children and grandchildren, valuing every moment they had together.

Howard is survived by his children and their spouses Mikel (Juanita) Thompson, Sherri

(Marc) Peterson, and Pamela (Jonathan) Lunde: his grandchildren, Justin (Kate)

Peterson, Matthew (Beth) Peterson, Joshua Peterson, Rebecca Thompson, Benjamin

Thompson, Caleb Thompson, Ryan Lunde, Connor Lunde and Trevor Lunde; his

great-grandchildren Lexy, Josiah, Jack and Logan Peterson and his many beloved

nieces and nephews.

Howard’s family, the Thompsons, Petersons and Lundes, are deeply grateful for all he

imparted to us.He was a living testament of God’s love and power. His unfailing faith,

compassion, and hope is the inspiration and legacy for us to follow in his footsteps.

Memorial Service at Shoreline Covenant Church, 1330 N. 185 St., Shoreline, WA 98133

on September 14, 2019 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Prison Fellowship and Gideon Bible

International.