Kenneth Wade Thompson

Kenneth Wade Thompson passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Lakeview, Oregon, with his family by his side.

Kenneth was born in Lakeview, to George and Shirley (Rechsteiner) Thompson, on April 20, 1939.

He was raised in New Pine Creek, OR, and graduated from Lakeview High School.  After high school, he went into the Army and was stationed in Germany until he was honorable discharged and was a proud veteran.  Settled down in New Pine Creek with his wife Carolyn around 1963 and lived and raised their family in the same house until their passing.  He had numerous jobs, but the one he talked about most was working for Lawson Logging as a driver and a mechanic, he always had great stories about his adventures and friends.  If you knew Kenneth, he was always telling stories, over and over again, and his family loved to listen to them, even if they heard them a hundred times!  He had good old-fashioned manners, for example, he would not make a plate until all the women and children had theirs.  He was always trying to feed everyone!

It may sound cliché, but Kenneth never knew a stranger.  The kindest and most loving person anyone ever knew.  Loyal to all of his family and friends, he would do anything at a drop of a hat for anyone.

Kenneth loved and enjoyed his family more than anything.  He was so proud of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.  He enjoyed cooking and BBQing for his family.  He ruined his granddaughters for anyone else’s pancakes, they had to be Papa’s!  You could find him fishing or getting wood with his best partner, his son John, almost every weekend up until the last few years.

Kenneth loved his wife Carolyn of 64 years, above all and he passed away only 27 days after she left this world.  He was the best husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He left everyone who was lucky enough to know him, better for knowing him.  He is at peace and back with “his bride”, watching over everyone.  He will be so missed, every hour of every day.

Kenneth is preceded by his wife and his parents.

He leaves behind his son, John Thompson; daughter Deanna Murphy; granddaughters Kylie Hamilton, Jade Montgomery, and Sydni Murphy; great-grandchildren Gage and Grayson Leach, Riley Montgomery, and Layla Orozco; Brothers, Marvin (Nancy) Thompson & David Thompson; sister Gloria (Jay) Counts; 4 brothers-in-law and 4 sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.  He had many friends that were considered family.

Memorial contributions can be made in Kenneth’s memory to the VFW Post 4070 PO Box 134 Lakeview, OR 97630, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Wade Thompson, please visit our floral store.