Donald James Thompson

Thompson, Donald James (Age 72) Passed away on February 20, 2011, in Spokane, WA. Donald was born on December 28, 1938, in Spokane, WA. Raised in Chewelah by parents, Brougham and Frieda Thompson. Don is survived by his older sister, Vesta Fonseca of Whittier, CA; his younger brother, Kenneth Thompson of Redondo Beach, CA; and his favorite Aunt, Margie Roth age 96 this May living in Coeur D' Alene, ID; Six nieces and two nephews , Christy Fonseca, Vivian Poppler, Diana Leslie, Julie McIntosh, Sara Rosado, Joanna Harvey, Mark Fonseca & Michael Thompson.

A Memorial Service will be held for Don at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chapel, located in the V.A. Hospital on the 1st floor. 4815 N. Assembly St. Spokane, WA.

In loving Memory of Don's parents;

Frieda Irene Thompson - Born July 16th 1909 - Nov. 28th 1963

Brougham James Thompson - Born January 23, 1911 - Nov. 4th 2004

Donald James Thompson, a short Biography.

Don Thompson grew up in Chewelah Washington. In Chewelah, the Thompson family attended the Methodist church.

Donald was a Boy Scout.

When Donald was in Junior High and High School in Chewelah, he played the clarinet in the band. At Whitworth College, he played the baritone saxophone in the Concert Orchestra.

Donald belonged to DeMolay, a Masonic Organization of young men. He was the Master Counselor of the Chewelah Chapter and held the highest honor, the Chevalier Degree.

Donald graduated from High School in Chewelah. He attended Whitworth College for 5 years. When going to college, he worked in the college cafeteria kitchen. He also did construction work on the college campus to help pay for his college expenses. Donald earned a BS in Biology with a minor in Organic Chemistry.

Donald then went into the Army and was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland to do research in biological warfare. His work included working with Q-fever and Anthrax.

Don visited Washington D.C. during the Cherry Blossom Festival. He loved the Cherry Trees in bloom and took many photos.

He made several trips out to Southern CA to visit his sister Vesta and her family.

After serving in the Army he went to work for the National Drug Company in Spartanburg PA doing Government sponsored Medical Research. During this period he also worked at a funeral home and a carpet store, selling carpet.

Donald loved the concerts and the theater in New York City, and drove there often.

After his mother Frieda died, Donald changed job position from the East Coast to the West Coast. Donald took on a job in Seattle at the University of Washington in Seattle in the Cancer Research Dept.

After Donald’s grandmother Lux died, he took a trip to California along with a Christian group of seven, six guys and one girl. While he was in California he attended a Christian college in Pasadena. During that time there was a bad forest fire in the San Gabriel Mountain which created very bad air and sent the group back to Seattle.

Donald loved to ski, swim, and ride his bike for many miles

When riding his bike in Seattle along a park trail, he hit a large rock and flew over his bike handle bars. He landed on his shoulder and broke his collar bone.

Donald also worked for a Christian Music Service of Spokane run by Merrill Womack. Womack founded “National Music Service Inc. ” Merrill was a religious singer who created and produced music which was sold and is still used and played in many funeral homes nationwide. Don traveled for the business setting up the music equipment in many southern states. Donald sent his sister, Vesta, several of Merrill Womack’s albums.

From there Donald moved back to Spokane, and he loved to listen to Gospel music on TV. Donald became a part-time Evangelist. Wanting to help people change their lives and spread the Christian Gospel. But during those times Donald was mugged twice and hospitalized.

Donald was a quiet man, and more and more he kept his feelings to himself. This is when he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, and he got a work disability.

Here is a paragraph from a letter Don sent to Christy Feb. 2nd 2005. In this letter he writes that he attended the Riverfront Native America Pow Wow.

“I camped out at the Pow Wow hoping to find Canadian Indian Americans like the grandfather of Grandma Elise Poquette. I found out the tribe in Canada was the Crew Tribe. I was able to talk with some of the Crew Tribe. They were drummers from Canada. I camped out in August. I took Dad Saturday, and Dad & I danced when they opened dancing. “ I won the small Indian basket. I thought Lauren would like to have the basket. An Indian Group from Montana was selling the water. It was a great 3 days. I sent the program for you to read. “

Don’s favorite Cake: Carrot Cake - On Dec. 28th 2010 - "Happy Birthday Don" Christy brought Don a large slice of Carrot Cake.

Don loved avocados. He scooped out the pit and added peanut butter. Don and Christy enjoyed eating the avocados from his sister Vesta's tree in Ca.

Don loved sweets. He so enjoyed his niece Vivian's and Jason’s home-made Xmas Fudge sent to Don from Ca.

Don favorite candy: Soft peanut brittle sold at the Davenport Hotel made by Bruttles. Christy and Mike would bring Don a box every now and then.

Don favorite fish: Crab Legs

Frieda his mother would serve crab legs on New Years Day. As of today his sister Vesta still keeps the family New Years tradition. On Jan. 1st 2011 Christy and Mike’s visit included King Crab legs. Don so enjoyed the Crab Legs dipped in butter.

Two years ago, Don purchased a kit of a pair of moccasins slippers. And in Jan. 2011 Don strung the moccasin into slippers. Don was so proud of those moccasins.