George E. Thompson Jr.

Born January 27, 1921 in Vevay Township, MI, the son of the late George and Nancy (Furgason) Thompson, passed away May 30, 2013 at the age of 92. Graduated from Holt High School in 1940 and went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, as a Sargent with the 42nd Rainbow Division in Austria, earning the Bronze Star on April 5, 1945. Upon returning home he began his career with Smith Tree Service, followed by 30 years of dedicated service for the City of Lansing, Forestry Division. He began his employment with the city as a climbing foreman and retired as Forestry Supervisor. In 1947 he earned the title of “Rope Champion” from the city and held the title 3 years in a row. In his home he always had a jigsaw puzzle going and expected visitors to sit a long spell and put in some pieces. George married Geraldine Zimmerman on June 15, 1946 and she predeceased him in 2000 after 54 years of marriage. Also preceded in death by granddaughter, Lisa Van Valin; son-in-law, David Peabody; daughters-in-law, Linda Thompson and Nancy Thompson; and sister, Nancy Waters. Surviving to cherish his memory are his children, Patricia Peabody, Terry Thompson and Robert Thompson and special friend Mary Baker; grandchildren, David (Kerry) Peabody of Royal Oak, Marc (Robin) Peabody of Worthington, OH, Dan Van Valin of Grand Ledge, Terry (Lisa) Thompson II and Richard Thompson and special friend Mary, Shaun (Alan) Brewer) and Robbie Thompson and girlfriend Becky; honorary grandchildren, Cortney and Ashleigh; great-grandchildren, Tony, Megan, Heather, Derrick, Karis, Kadin, Koren, Gabrielle, Eliana, Katalina, Izaak, Ryan (Kayla), Britney, Jourdin, Zamuel, Miles and Sydney; honorary great-grandchildren, Kaden, Kasey and Kayla; sisters, Beatrice Quealy of Prescott, AZ, Dorothy Degner of Charlotte as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends, especially Jesse and Karen Salenas; and his namesake, George E., AKA Jr., his four legged grandson. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday, June 3rd at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Deepdale Memorial Gardens with Military Honors to follow. For those desiring, contributions in memory of George may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com