Ross Webster Thompson, age 92, of Tucson, Arizona, was called to heaven on Saturday November 3, 2018. Ross was born March 20, 1926 in Newport, Rhode Island, the sixth son of Carlton Blaine Thompson of Portland, Maine and Marguerite Cecelia Odette of New Brunswick, Canada. He was raised on Webster Street in the Fifth Ward.
Ross grew up boating the waters of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound. He attended Cary School and Rogers High School until leaving to fight in WWII. With four older brothers already serving in the military, Ross lied about his age and enlisted, making the Thompsons the only 5-Star family in Rhode Island. He finished his GED while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Coxswain aboard the U.S.S. Sheliak (AKA-62), an armored attack transport ship. He piloted amphibious landing craft in the Pacific theater, landing troops, equipment and ammunition, notably, at the Okinawa invasion. After the war, Ross returned to Newport and worked as chauffeur to the Hill family, owners of Campbell's Soup. He later worked on fishing boats, drove taxis, stock cars and semi trucks, and eventually left Newport to work on the American natural gas pipeline. He ended up in San Diego, working at Convair, and happened to meet a long-legged girl from Iowa who was visiting a co-worker's neighbor.
Ross and Helen were married on July 27, 1954. They had two daughters and made their home on Otay Ranch, outside Chula Vista, California. Early in their marriage, Ross shattered a vertebra while working as a Police Officer for the city of Chula Vista and, over those early years, also experienced other major health problems. Ross and Helen faced these setbacks with faith, iron-willed determination, and "can-do" optimism. Together, they worked through the challenges of raising a family and built an exemplary partnership. They were both each others' rock, steadfast companions for 63 years, until her death in 2017.
Ross deeply loved people and animals. He was generous and tenderhearted toward all in need. Whenever he heard of a problem, he did whatever he could, with whatever he had, to solve it. He was usually busy, doing something for somebody. He did so much, for so many, for so long, his generosity of time and spirit stands as an example to all who truly knew him. His children thank him for his big heart, the pet menagerie at Telegraph Canyon, Christmas carols on the sofa, explaining how to fix things, teaching "you can do whatever you put your mind to," and exemplifying the true meaning of "a job well-done," and a life well-lived.
Ross is survived by his daughters, Susan (Donato) Valdivia of Tucson, AZ, and Myra (Oliver) Morgan of Black Mountain, NC; grandchildren Rosalee (Mark) Blair of Tucson AZ, Cristina (Moses) Valdivia Ramos of Tucson, AZ, Victoria (James) Corbett of Fairfield, CA, Charlotte Morgan of Duxbury, VT, and Sophia Morgan of Asheville, NC; great-grandchildren Marisol & Marcos Blair, Parker, Haylie & Zoe Corbett, and Moisio & Nicai Ramos; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Ross will be held Sunday, November 18, 2018 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712, followed by a funeral service from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Ross will be laid to rest with his beloved wife of 63 years, Helen, at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, CA, on December 14, 2018 at 11:30 AM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Thompson family.
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