Arthur L. ''Art'' Thompson

Arthur Latimer Thompson was born September 28, 1915 in Missoula, Montana, where his love of the outdoors was born, too. His family moved to Seattle when he was five, where he attended Coe Elementary School and Queen Anne High School with his best friend, Blake Colvin. He took numerous correspondence courses after graduation, including extension courses at the University of Washington. He had a life long interest in academics and received his Associate of Arts & Sciences degree from North Seattle Community College at age 70, a proud accomplishment.

Art?s working career started early as a Post Intelligencer delivery boy. He applied his good work ethic throughout his life in a variety of disciplines. He picked hops and split wood. He worked in the family sawmill, tried his hand at sales and excelled as a journeyman machinist. His heating, ventilation and air conditioning career took off when he became a Field Service Representative at Honeywell. He traveled frequently to Alaska, falling in love with the spectacular scenery he took movies to prove it! Always thinking of his family, he brought home a piece of his adventures in the form of warm fur coats, jewelry, and one time a fresh salmon! He retired from his Building Engineer position at SAFECO at the young age of 74. He made many friends during his long career and stayed in contact with many of them.

He loved the outdoors and appreciated God?s creation immensely! He fished, hunted got nothing, berry picked, swam and hiked throughout Montana and Washington, often with his friend Blake or his favorite Uncle George. He spent 2 weeks hiking in the Olympic Mountains with Blake during his school days. He loved skiing in the beautiful NW mountains, and swimming. He was always in search of the best swimming hole and always found it. He was a camping enthusiast but also a travel bug-that meant a new location every day groan!. Spirit Lake was a favorite camping spot of the whole family. A trip to the Grand Tetons, his last great outdoor Excellent Adventure, was shared with Blake in the late ?90s how they both made it, neither the Thompson nor the Colvin families ever knew!

Art was an active participant in Christian organizations, including City Chapel and the Full Gospel Business Men?s Fellowship International FGBMFI, fondly called ?fuggumbuffi?. He was a member of several FGBMFI Air Lifts to Northern Europe to share the gospel. He traveled to over 10 different countries between the mid ?70s through the early ?90s, including then Iron Curtain countries of the USSR, East Germany and Poland. He received many letters from friends of lives formed and changed by his ministry.

He missed his family when he was away, and always thought of them. He always sent postcards wherever he went. He brought home many gifts, including a hand-painted tea set from Hungary which he lovingly lugged all through Europe. He brought home Finnish chocolate to his beloved band of ?choc-a-holics??much to everyone?s delight!

Adult onset of diabetes began after Art?s retirement and he was diagnosed with Alzheimer?s Disease several years later. Art fought a courageous battle?never giving in easily. Giving up driving was one of the hardest things he did, but he did it for his family?s sake. He made it easy to care for him by being an appreciative, loving person.

He will be missed by his loving wife, family, dear friends and caregivers.

Memorial service Thurs., Sep. 5th at 3:30 PM at Columbia Lutheran Home. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Columbia Lutheran Home, Price Evangelicalistic Ministries or favorite charity. Please sign on-line guest book.