Gary George Thompson was born on September 10, 1940 to Clyde and Minnie Belle Thompson in Clendenin, WV, the second to youngest of 4 children. He passed from this life at the age of 79 peacefully at home surrounded by his devoted family on February 26, 2020. Gary is survived by his loving wife, Norma Louise Thompson and their children Kimberly DeShon Banesse, Dawn Marie Ketcham, and Candice Lynn Rocha. Their Grandchildren: Ava Gabrielle Banesse, Mia Bella Banesse, Kyra Marie Ketcham, Haley Marie Rocha, and Mason Bryan Rocha. His brother Larry E. Thompson. He is preceded in passing by his parents, his sister Joyce Yutzy, and brother, Harold Thompson.
Gary graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston, WV in 1958. Gary served in the U.S. Air Force as a Medical Service Technician from 1959 to 1964. After his service he worked as a welder at Haddox Manufacturing Company for 10 years. In 1969 he met Norma, the love of his life, and they were married that same year on November 1st.
Gary simultaneously worked as a college instructor at St. Phillip’s College in San Antonio from 1974 to 1984 and as a vocational welding instructor at Edgewood High School in San Antonio from 1974 to 1989. In addition to working these two jobs he obtained the following degrees: an Associate of Science from San Antonio College in 1974, a Bachelors of Applied Arts & Sciences from Southwest Texas State in 1976, and a Master in Education from Southwest Texas State in 1982. Gary continued his love of education by becoming a Math teacher and a Computer Technician Representative at the Competency Based High School in San Antonio from 1989 to 2004. Thereafter, he became a Math and Computer teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in San Antonio from 2004 until his retirement in 2006.
Gary enjoyed working on his 1966 Mustang in his spare time. He loved taking his family camping at the Medina River and spending summers at the beach in Port Aransas. At home he enjoyed watching the Spurs games, eating popcorn with a Moon Pie and washing it all down with a Miller High Life, or two. When he retired you could find him every Saturday and Sunday sitting at the Sangerfest Halle at Fiesta Texas listening to the Sauerkrauts while enjoying an ice cold Spaten brew. You can also count on him to be at Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg and Wurstfest in New Braunfels every single year with his daughters and their families. He loved being Santa Claus at the Mall during Christmas time; and yes, his beard and belly were the real deal!
A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held at Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78205 on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 9:30AM.
Inurnment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78209 at 11:15AM.
Social distancing measures will be followed. Please wear masks at all times.
Live streaming will be available using the Facebook page through the Funeral Home Website:
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