Our beloved father, Elmer Dewitt “Bud” Thompson, Jr., 93, of North Platte, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family at Josie Harper Hospice House on August 13, 2015.
Elmer “Bud” Thompson was born to Elmer D. and Ida Mengel Thompson in August of 1922. He was a longtime resident of North Platte, with the exception of his childhood years in Edinburg, Texas.
Elmer graduated from North Platte High School in 1941 and enlisted in the Army-Air Force during WWII. He served proudly as a pilot and flight engineer. At the close of the war, Bud married Betty Dahlgren in August of 1945. They made their home in Omaha for five years and then moved back to North Platte, where they raised their family of four children. He started a glass contracting business, Economy Glass, with three childhood friends. That was his successful career until his retirement in 1985.
Bud and Betty were cofounders of the Lake Maloney Ski Club and participated in many ski shows and tournaments. With the ski shows, the club helped to fund the construction of the Lake Maloney Golf Course and field house. He became an avid golfer and winter Texan, spending many winters in South Texas. He loved celebrating life with his family and good friends. He loved the great outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was an active member of the Moose, the Eagles, and the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, and sister, Betty Seeger. He is survived by four children, Linda (Ron) Smith of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Tom (Mary) Thompson of Scottsbluff; Shelley (Joe) Riha of Omaha; Mary Lou (Craig) Thurman, of Overland Park, Kansas; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking you donate to the 20th Century War Memorial, P.O. Box 1393, North Platte, Nebraska 69103 in his honor. Online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17th, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, August 16th at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.