Laurence A. Thompson

Thompson, Laurence A., age 98, Retired superintendent for Williams Natural Gas, Laurence began his career with the company 35 years earlier, as a temporary summer intern. Laurence passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Immediate family members include his wife Shirley and children: Larry, Linda Gray (Terrell), son-in-law Don Farris, Ron and Billye Fischer (Dick). His family has been blessed with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and a great-great grandson. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Marcie Farris; parents, Mabel and Ira Thompson; sisters, Virginia Thompson, Fern Johnson, Bertha Morgan and Maxine Peed; brothers LeRoy and Carl; and two infant sisters.

Born in western Kansas, he moved as a child with his family to Ottawa where he attended school and later enlisted in the Naval Air Corp. His basic training was completed at Farragut, ID and when deployed, he went aboard ship on Thanksgiving Day 1944. He served as gunner on a Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber. His squadron’s mission was to assist in neutralizing air bases and airfields and provide air cover and direct support to the marines during invasion of Lingayen Island, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The escort carrier USS Steamer Bay served as headquarters for maneuvers and their aircraft flew off of and returned to safe landing on the tiny 512’ 3” deck of the jeep aircraft carrier after each of the more than 100 sorties. Laurence was entitled to wear the following medals, ribbons and insignia: Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Air Crew (3 stars), Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal (2 stars) and the Distinguished Flying Cross. These medals appropriately describes the character of this beloved man throughout his life.

A presentation, also in appreciation of his military service was awarded many years later on his 90th birthday. The men and women of The Quilts of Valor Foundation and Quilts of Valor – Kansas made and presented an heirloom quilt to honor his service in supporting peace, diplomacy and freedoms throughout the world and in recognition of that deployment and subsequent duty. Wartime can change a person, often with repercussions that could last a lifetime.

Laurence’s life always revolved enthusiastically around family and sports and children from the Oklahoma panhandle community where he raised his family benefited as he coached summer league baseball teams. A member for many years in the company sponsored bowling league, he also participated in Lions Club charity drives and was a lifetime member of the VFW and Distinguished Flying Cross. His desire to provide better opportunities for his family was evident in the hours and years spent producing and harvesting cropland in the evenings and on weekends in addition to custom harvesting. He held a lifelong interest in raising cattle.

Visitation with family will take place from 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Lakeview Funeral Home. Graveside service and burial will take place at 11:30 am on Monday, May 8, 2023 at the National Cemetery in Ft. Dodge, KS. Memorials are suggested to the Wichita Memorial VFW Post #3115.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Thompson family.