Vernon E. Thompson

Vern Thompson was a hardworking, fun-loving man, a true Southern gentleman full of character and charisma. He was a man who endeared himself to others, with good-natured teasing and a kind and caring demeanor. More than anything, Vern was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, a man small in stature yet so huge in heart.

Vern’s story began on a cold day in 1933, as the winter rains swelled the Mighty Mississippi near the little town of Portageville, Missouri. Those were such difficult days in this country, which was caught in the terrible grip of the Great Depression. On January 12, 1933, Truman and Mary (Barnes) Thompson found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Vernon.

Vern was the first of the couple’s 10 children, and would be eventually joined by six brothers and three sisters in the family’s home. Being the oldest child in such a large family, Vern had more than his share of responsibility growing up.

When he was just five years old, the family packed up and moved to Michigan, tired of the constant threat of flooding from the river, and hoping for greener pastures. They first lived in the Vicksburg/Fulton area in southwest Michigan, and later settled in the Decatur area, where his dad became a fulltime farmer.

Money was very tight around the house when Vern was growing up, so he learned well the meaning and value of a dollar and a hard day’s work. Those would be lessons he carried with him the rest of his days.

Vern left school in the ninth grade, wanting to help put food on the family’s table. He joined the National Guard and later signed up for active military service with the Army. He was very proud of his service to his country, and remained so the rest of his life.

When he completed his military service, Vern returned to the Kalamazoo area, where he found work at the General Motors plant in Comstock. He enjoyed working there, primarily as a maintenance worker and welder, and remained there the rest of his career.

Vern’s personal life was equally rewarding to him. His life was filled with many loves, and many fond memories, as well as the children he loved more than anything. He had three kids with his first wife, Marie, becoming a father of Vaughn, who sadly died as an infant. He later became a father with his son Ron, followed by Eva. Vern’s marriage to Marie ended, and he eventually remarried to a woman named Shirley and together they had a baby boy named Vern.

Vern was a very loving and supportive father, however, and especially loved becoming a grandfather, as his grandkids were the apple of his eye. He loved all children in general, however, and they were drawn to him, as well, with his great sense of humor and gentle, teasing way.

Vern was a fun, and fun-loving man, who had no shortage of hobbies or pastimes. He was an avid and exceptional bowler, and traveled all over the country to bowl in tournaments. He bowled in Arizona, Florida, and Canada, and even bowled at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada!

Vern also was passionate about fishing, and would often head to the east side of the state to fish in Lake Erie, where the walleye fishing was the best. Other than the births of his children and grandchildren, his favorite days were found in a boat on Lake Erie, dressed in his blue jeans and flannel shirt, waiting for some walleye with his dog by his side. Vern always loved dogs, especially his beloved bulldog Spike (who even wore a spiked collar to match).

Vern would have more than canine companionship, however. Though his first two marriages ended, Vern wasn’t destined to remain alone. He met a wonderful woman named Sheila Tefft, after they answered a companion column in the local newspaper. The two hit it off, and quickly fell in love, as well. Sheila loved Vern’s Southern charm, and kind and caring demeanor. The happy couple was married on July 19, 1986 in Schoolcraft, beginning a beautiful chapter in their lives together.

In 1993, with the GM plant ready to shut down, Vern took the early retirement buyout, giving him more time to fish, bowl, and spend with his beloved family and friends. He had friends everywhere, it seemed, and was always running into people he knew from bowling, fishing, or GM around town shopping or out to eat. Everybody seemed to know Vern, and loved him, too.

In 1998, his family surprised him with a huge, 65th birthday party, which was such a special day for him. In fact, due to his hard upbringing, it was the very first birthday party he ever had! Many, many friends and family members gathered together at the Community Center to celebrate the special day with him, one of the greatest days of his life.

In 2002, Vern was sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and though he fought valiantly for a few years, he eventually had to move to the Riverview Manor nursing home in Three Rivers in the fall of 2007. Vern sadly died there under hospice care at Three Rivers Hospital on Thursday evening, February 7, 2008, with his beloved family by his side. He was 75.

Vern was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of hard work, fun times, and fond memories. He was a hardworking, fun-loving man, full of character and charisma, humor and humility. Most of all, Vern was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, a man small in stature yet so huge in heart. He will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Vern, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Monday from 6-8 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg, 409 S. Main. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Tuesday at the same location. Members of Vern’s family include his wife Sheila, 3 children: Ron Thompson, Eva Thompson, Vernon and his wife Mary Thompson, 5 stepchildren: Bill and his wife Sherie Goodman, Tony and his wife Ricki Goodman, Dawn Goodman and Matt and Mike Tefft. Vern also has 4 brothers: Clyde, Carl, Glenn and Bruce, a sister, Florence Grissom, 16 grandchildren: Sarah, Chad, Mark, Paul, Brandon, Tiffany, Nicole, Nathan, Brittney, Ashley, Matt, Danielle, Hunter, Dustin, Tevin and Tyler and 5 great grandchildren. He follows in death his son Vaughn, two brothers: Billy and Bobby, two sisters: Imogene and Vergie, and one grandson William.

Please visit Vern’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online or make a memorial donation the Disabled American Veterans or the Alzheimer association.