George D. Thompson

George Darrell Thompson passed away at home May 23 at the age of 79, after a 4 yr battle with melanoma. He was born Sept 7, 1933 to George Everett Thompson and Emma Lucille (Bean) Thompson in Tacoma, Washington. He married Marion Lazarus on September 28, 1951. He served aboard the USS Essex and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in July 1954 receiving a national Defense Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Korean Service Medal. He moved his family from Washington to Roseburg to work at Roseburg Lumber. In 1955, he took a cut in pay to serve as a firefighter with the Roseburg City Fire Dept. After 4 years he was promoted to Captain and was assigned as assistant training officer. At that time he assisted the Dean of Vocational Education at UCC in developing a 2 yr Fire Science curriculum. He obtained an Associate Degree of Science from UCC and taught evening classes in Fire Science for UCC for several years. He was one of the first responders for the Roseburg 1959 "Blast". He worked at a number of part time jobs in the Roseburg area while at the fire department, including Mayflower moving Vans, So. Cable TV, and Tidewater Oil Co. In 1960 he was promoted to Battalion Chief and shift commander for 3 fire stations. In March 1977 he was appointed Fire Chief in charge of 3 stations which included 31 full time employees and 20 volunteers.
On November 1, 1982 he married Barbara Kirby and in December of 1983 he retired after 28 ½ years of service to the Roseburg Fire Dept. He and Barbara traveled to Mexico for a couple years and also worked seasonal jobs in the Palm Springs area. "They laughed thru life".
He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, son, George Jr., daughters Karren Freedman (Bob) and Debbie Carncross (Chuck) and stepsons Larry and Tony Morene and stepdaughter Leslie Simmons (Mark), and grandchildren Shelley Vandermaat, Taylor and Aaron Thompson, Blake, Tommy and Nick Morene, and Sydney Simmons and great grandchildren Jake, Christopher and Paige Vandermaat and sisters Virginia Terry and Louise Elzner. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Shane Grensky and sister and brother-in-law Rosemary and John George, and brother-in-law Almon Terry.
In 1990 George and Barb settled in Coos Bay where he shared his love of the sea with family and friends. He was a great story teller, a super grandfather, and a terrific fisherman. His last 35 years he "laughed and loved thru life." Our family would like to thank Dr. Trezona and his "crew" for the last four wonderful years of care and extend our gratitude to all the neighbors for their love, support, and help throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Coos County Animal shelter or Relay for Life.
Memoriall services will be in Roseburg on June 1 at Wilson's Chapel of the Roses at 10 am.