Don Leroy Thompson

Don LeRoy Thompson Don Thompson, age 66, of Urbana, Illinois passed away Monday, June 10, 2013 at VA Illiana Health Care, Danville, Illinois where he had been a patient since November after being diagnosed with cancer. Don was born the son of Charles (Buck) Thompson and June Rose (Alger) Thompson on June 4, 1947 in Chillicothe, Missouri. He spent his childhood in Chillicothe graduating from Chillicothe High School in 1965. He enjoyed sports and was a baseball pitcher, bowler, football punter, and runner on the track team. Don later received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1970 where he was two-time All-Big Eight Bowling champ. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam where he earned multiple awards and medals. Because of injury, he was permanently retired. Don next earned an M. S. degree in Engineering at the University of Illinois in 1974. He also became a big Illini fan while living in Champaign - Urbana. Don became a major participant in wheelchair athletics traveling around the country competing in wheelchair track, basketball, bowling and tennis. Don also had an enduring interest in his faith, participating on multiple committees, attending church conferences and helping others. Survivors include his mother, June Thompson, of Chillicothe, Missouri:; four brothers, Allan Thompson and wife Karen of Raytown, Missouri, Bill Thompson and wife Julia of Ashland, Missouri, Mark Thompson and wife Valerie of St. Cloud, Florida, and Kris Thompson of Lincoln, Nebraska; one sister, Marilyn Farmer and husband Glen of Raytown, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles (Buck) Thompson. Graveside services will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. A scheduled family visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, at 2:30 p.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, June 15, 2013, from noon until 5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Urbana, Illinois and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.