Ada Claire Sullivan

Ada was the middle daughter of John Francis Thompson and Tyne Aliiana (Alfton) Thompson, having an older sister, Marie Frances and a younger sister, Joanne Nell. Her mother was an elementary teacher and her father was a Marine Hard Hat Diver, as was his father. Ada grew up in rural Duluth, Minnesota on the land that her great-grandfather, John Manton Upton Thompson from England, homesteaded from President Grover Cleveland.

Ada attended the Duluth Public schools and graduated from Central High School in 1958. School years were always fun for her. She participated in the Girls Athletic Association earning her letter sweater and she also played the cornet in the school band for five years. She received her BS Degree from the University of Minnesota - Duluth in three years, majoring in the fields of Education and Social Sciences. She was a member of Sigma Psi Gamma sorority. During her college years, she lived at home with her parents and commuted to the university. A week after graduation in 1961, Ada married her high school sweetheart, Lt. George Henning Vipond on the 26th of August at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Duluth.

Their military career in the Air Force began in January 1962 when George was assigned to pilot training at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas. Their first son was born January 18, 1962. He was named in the Vipond tradition, after both grandfathers, George John Vipond.

Further training moved Ada and George to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, and Luke Air

Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona for flight training in jet fighters. Their permanent assignment to Okinawa, Kadena Air Force Base proved not only exciting, but an intense experience, considering it was during the height of the Vietnam, Southeast Asia crisis.

This small island of Okinawa was home for three years (1964-1967). The Squadron became their family. Ada’s husband was often gone for 2 -3 months at a time, flying F-105 fighters over North Vietnam which was a constant worry. Having the luxury of a full time house maid for $30.00 a month and the wives' club activities, bridge and luncheons, kept Ada busy and her mind occupied. Chairing the Base Nursery school where she subbed, as well subbing at the Elementary School just across the street from their Base house were nice diversions for her. The most important event on this island was the birth of their second son, Clark Wilhelm Vipond on August 13, 1965 at the US Army Base. Their family was growing.

The next military assignment brought them to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas where yet another son was born to the Vipond family, John Thompson Vipond, on November 25, 1967. George Henning was still flying the F-105 fighter attached to the Fighter Weapons School. This was a delightful family tour for them and Ada enjoyed teaching school for three of those four years. They enjoyed their many family visitors and the mountains and all that Nevada had to offer.

When time for another military assignment came, they found themselves delighted to be selected for an overseas Exchange Program. They were heading for England as George had a tour as an Exchange pilot with the Royal Air Force stationed at RAF Honnington, Suffolk, England. They arrived in October 1971 and moved into military housing.

England had always interested Ada and they were thrilled to be there. The boys, now 4, 6, & 8 years attended the American school at Lakenheath AFB. Ada and George enjoyed their new friendships and had the opportunity to explore all that England had to offer. For Ada, it was almost a dream come true, but only to have it all sadly come to an end in only a few months.

George Henning was presumed killed on a routine flight mission in the RAF Buccaneer aircraft over the North Sea on 13 June 1972. His body, nor the aircraft were ever located. At the age of 32 his life ended too soon, doing what he loved the most, flying. And after eleven years of marriage, aged 32, with three small boys, Ada was widowed. Ada felt as though the world came to an absolute end for her.

The next year was spent back in rural Duluth, Minnesota living with her parents. The boys felt at home and it gave her time to figure out her life. The boys enjoyed their beloved grandparents and company of cousins, while Ada returned to the University of Minnesota earning her certification in learning disabilities. At the end of the school year, Ada and her boys headed south to Florida for sunshine and white beaches. In August 1973, Ada purchased her first home and settled into a new life. She loved Ft. Walton Beach, sunshine and the warm climate. The boys enjoyed the new lifestyle too.

Good things happen to those who keep an open mind. In February 1974, Ada was introduced to Col. Dwight Everett Sullivan who was attending the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. Dwight was a returned Prisoner of War who had spent 5 ½ years in captivity in at the Hanoi Hilton in North Vietnam. His plane went down on his 73rd mission while flying the F-105 fighter over Hanoi. Dwight (aka Sully) had five children: Steven, Brad, Scott, Dianne and Laura. It didn’t take them long to realize they wanted to move forward and share the rest of their lives together, kids and all. Ada and Dwight were married on June 14, 1974, at Eglin Air Force Base, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. They promptly left for a new military assignment in Del Rio, Texas, Laughlin Air force Base. Ada always said that they weren’t sure whether Del Rio was ready for ‘the Brady Bunch family’ as they rolled up with six boys in tow, ages: 6, 8, 10, 14, 15, and 16 years. The girls, 9 and 10, were summer guests later.

Life in the small border town of Del Rio proved interesting. Ada taught Deaf Education at the Regional Day School for the Deaf for 5-years, and Chapter I Reading for 6-years. During this time Ada earned a Masters degree in Education from Sul Ross State University. All this happened while putting a new marriage, a blended family and new life style together.

Dwight was one of five Colonels at Laughlin AFB. He was base Maintenance Aircraft Commander, retiring from the military in 1978 after 27-years of active service. He then ventured in commercial construction for three years and the following six years as manager of the local Budweiser distributor in Del Rio.

At the age of 49-years, Ada experienced the highlight of her teaching career. She received an assignment with the Department of Defense for an overseas teaching position at RAF Ruislip, just outside of London, England. What a happy day that was for Ada! Her assignment was Hearing Impaired and Compensatory Education from 1987 to June 1990. She loved every minute of that tour. Dwight was now her dependent and “Mr. Mom”, keeping the cottage fires going. That assignment provided Ada and Dwight with travel and exploration of much of Europe. They also had many of their large family and friends visit them while in England. Living in England for a second time in Ada’s life really enhanced her love for the country and the fondness of the Royal family which she’d been interested in since the age of 10-years old.

After England, it was back home to Austin, Texas. Ada continued to teach Special Education for three more years. Now with twenty years of work experience, she was eligible for a Texas Teachers retirement benefit. That was more than she ever expected having been a military wife moving here, there and everywhere.

In 1993, Ada and Dwight moved to Dwight’s hometown of Corydon, Iowa. The town had a population of 1,800. Renovating an old house was something they both enjoyed doing. It was good for them to be around Sully’s family again. They owned six house rentals and Ada eventually began substitute teaching which gave her a real insight to the young people in the Mid-west.

After two of their sons, John and Clark, moved to the Phoenix area and several winter visits to see them, the sunshine and warm climate lured Ada and Dwight to move once again, hopefully their last. In August 2000 they bought a home in a beautiful retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona. They absolutely loved everything it had to offer such as seven golf courses, many clubs and associations, as well as four recreation centers. Ada loved playing bridge as well as herP.E.O.Chapter and her association with the West Valley Genealogy Society. Having family nearby (Clark, Matthew, Kendall, Clayton, Danielle, John, Leslie, Thompson and Tatum Vipond) in the Phoenix area were special blessings for them. Ada and Dwight were very proud grandparents to 14+ grandchildren and 18+ great-grandchildren.

Sadly, Dwight (Sully) passed away December 8, 2019, after a lengthy illness with a blood disease. He was interred at the Phoenix National Memorial Cemetery on December 30, 2019. Ada’s urn will be intermed right next to her loving husband, Dwight.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Banner Del E. Web Medical Center in Sun City West, Arizona, as well as the exceptional staff at Hospice of the Valley in Surprise, Arizona, for the care and compassion they showed our Mother during her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00pm, located at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374.

The Interment will take place at Phoenix National Memorial Cemetery, 2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024 November 17, 2025 at 1:30PM .