Donald Leonard Thompson

Donald was born on February 28, 1930, in Rossford, Ohio, the first born son of Earl Edison (Hicks) Thompson and Mary Wilhelmina (Kustra) Thompson, in the midst of the "Great Depression".

At Ohio State University, Don met the love of his life, Kathleen Dawn (Van Nest) Thompson, lovingly nicknamed “Deanie”. On their first date, they went bowling and Don scored a perfect 300. You might say he knocked Deanie off of her pins, too!

Following college, Don and Deanie were married in 1955 at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Toledo. They had five children and spent 54 years together before her passing in 2009.

Don entered military service and later was honorably discharged as an Army Captain. While stationed in Europe for the first two years of their marriage, they welcomed the birth of their first two children. Upon their return stateside, they set up household in South Florida to raise their growing family and added another three children to the brood. Don established his dental practice in Pompano Beach and they were very active in supporting their local community organizations and carting their kids to sporting events. They were long time residents of Lighthouse Point and were part of the founding families of the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School and then Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

In retirement, Don and Deanie became motor home vagabonds, traveling for several years and visiting all 48 contiguous states, Canada and Mexico. They enjoyed frequenting storytelling festivals and investigating family genealogy along the way. Once they hung up their traveling shoes, they settled in their beloved ancestral state of North Carolina to spend their last years together.

After Deanie’s passing, Don found love and companionship late in life with Audrey Helen (Smith) Thompson. Married in 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Mayodan, North Carolina, they spent their last years together before her passing in early 2022.

Don was a voracious reader, a storyteller of family lore and fable, enjoyed travel, and treasured visiting with his many friends. Most of all, he cherished the time with his family, including his children, grandchildren and extended family all over the country.

In addition to his wives, Kathleen and Audrey, Don was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Keith Michael Thompson of Delray Beach and Peter Douglas Thompson of Loveland, CO; and two siblings Loretta Davis of Toledo, OH and Carl (Nancy) Thompson of Long Beach, CA.

Surviving are three children, Jeffrey (Jill) Thompson of Sunrise, David (Kimberly) Thompson of Sebastian, and Kathy Thompson of West Palm Beach; two daughter’s-in-love, Jody (Woods) Thompson of Delray Beach and Linda (Nelson) Thompson of Loveland, CO; and ten grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew (Sarah), Jaafar, Hydar, Cole, Hannah, Elizabeth, Griffin, Suddar and Olivia.

Also surviving are two brothers, Gregory and Earl (Lee) Thompson both of Toledo, OH as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was a devoted husband, loving father, cheerful friend, and friendly soul with a ready smile. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life mass will be held 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, July 5, at Saint Paul the Apostle, 2700 NE 36th St, Lighthouse Point, FL. Monsignor Dever will officiate. Services will also be live-streamed here on this site under the services section - click on Join Livestream.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, at Kraeer Funeral Home, 200 W Copans Rd, Pompano Beach, FL. Covid protocols will be followed. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Pompano Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Don’s name to the American Heart Association at heart.org.

Please join Don’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his Tribute Wall at dignity memorial.com.