Obituaries

Donald Lee Thompson, age 68, died at his home on March 1, 2018 following a long battle with cancer surrounded by his son, Jeremy, daughter, Jennifer, and wife, Janis. Don was a casualty of the Viet Nam War as a result of repeated exposure to Agent Orange during his service as a Marine Scout Sniper. Don’s life will be honored by family and friends on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 beginning at 11 am at the Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman. A reception will be held immediately following the service. Don will be buried at West Hill Cemetery following the reception. No family night is scheduled. Honorary pall bearers include his brothers Jim Thompson and Richard Thompson, his Marine brothers Rick Green (Sherman), Michael Tank (Arizona) and Gene Tinklinburg (Washington), and his son Jeremy Thompson. Donald Lee Thompson was the third son born to Katie Ruth Layman Thompson and Roy Thompson on New Year’s Eve 1949 in Sherman Texas. Although Katie longed for a daughter, Roy was very proud of his three sons, commonly known as “Roy’s Boys”. All sons attended Sherman High School with Jim Thompson being the eldest (SHS 1959), Richard Thompson (SHS 1961) and Don Thompson (SHS 1968). In high school Don excelled in all sports and was fondly known as “Moose” due to his height and size which far surpassed all other team members. During Friday night football games the stadium crowd often sounded as if they were booing when in reality SHS fans were chanting MOOOOSE! Following graduation from high school, Don received a football scholarship to University of New Mexico. However, after his first semester at UNM, he chose to enlist into the United States Marine Corps with his best friend Rick Green. After completing boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, he served as a Marine Scout Sniper in Viet Nam from 1969-1971. Following his return home, Don met his first wife, Jeanie Baker whom he married in 1971. Jeanie and Don had two children, Jennifer and Jeremy. He completed undergraduate school on a football scholarship at East Texas State University in Commerce and his Masters of Religious Education at the Southwestern Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth Texas. Don served as a youth minister at Fairview Baptist in Sherman, held numerous teaching and coaching positions in various public schools, and worked in sales and distribution positions in the corporate world. Don and Jeanie were married until her untimely death in November 1993. In 1995, Don and a long time Sherman friend, Janis Roberts (Gray), reconnected and married in July. Both Don and Janis loved boating on Lake Texoma and watching the spectacular sunsets at the lake. Don’s greatest joys were his children and grandchildren including Jennifer Thompson Graul of Southlake, Texas and her husband Marty Graul, and his son Jeremy Thompson of McKinney and his wife Leah. He also was very proud of his stepson, Jason (A.D.) Gray IV who lives in Pottsboro. He has six precious grandchildren including Emma Thompson, Owen Thompson and Megan Thompson, and Abby Graul, Livy Graul, and Arlie Graul. Don is survived by his two older brothers, Jim Thompson of Tulsa and his wife Clancy, Richard Thompson of Irving and his wife Carolyn; cousins Ray Steed, Julia Tucker, and Glenn Brookshire; and nieces and nephews, Krista, Julie, Mark, Paul, and Melody. Don was preceded in death by his first wife Jeanie, his mother Katie and father Roy, Jim’s first wife, Carol Thompson, and uncle Raymond Steed. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the many friends, neighbors, and organizations who supported our caregiving efforts during the last year including the Home Hospice Palliative Care Program, Guardian Hospice, Veteran Administration Respite Program, Grayson College coworkers and very dedicated helpers including Debbie Odom, Anna Canady, Joyce Kennedy, Mark Thompson, and Ryan Ward. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don’s memory may be made to the Boots to Books and Beyond Fund at Grayson College, which supports educational expenses for veterans returning to college to complete their education. Checks should be payable to the Grayson College Foundation B2B&B Fund and mailed to Grayson College Foundation, 6101 Grayson Drive, Denison Texas 75020. You may sign the online guestbook at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com