 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas  Harry L. Thompson 20 November 1887 - 9 June 1960 Frances P. Thompson 10 November 1892 - 16 November 1960  Roy Lee Thompson 30 April 1916 - 12 August 1996 Katie Ruth Thompson 2 August 1918 - 1 June 2003   Sherman - Donald Lee Thompson, 68, died at his home on March 1, 2018 following a long battle with cancer surrounded by his son, Jeremy; daughter, Jennifer; and wife, Janis. Don was a casualty of the Viet Nam War as a result of repeated exposure to Agent Orange during his service as a Marine Scout Sniper. Don's life was honored by family and friends on Tuesday morning, March 6, 2018 at Dannel Funeral Home, Sherman. Don was buried at West Hill Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include his brothers, Jim Thompson and Richard Thompson; his Marine brothers, Rick Green of Sherman; Michael Tank of Arizona and Gene Tinklinburg of Washington; and his son, Jeremy Thompson. Donald Lee Thompson was the third son born to Katie Ruth Layman Thompson and Roy Thompson on New Year's Eve 1949 in Sherman, Texas. Although Katie longed for a daughter, Roy was very proud of his 3 sons, commonly known as "Roy's Boys". All sons attended Sherman High School with Jim Thompson, being the eldest (Sherman High School Class of 1959), Richard Thompson (Sherman High School Class of 1961) and Don Thompson (Sherman High School Class of 1968). In high school Don excelled in all sports and was fondly known as "Moose" due to his height and size which far surpassed all other team members. During Friday night football games the stadium crown often sounded as if they were booing when in reality SHS fans were chanting "MOOOOSE!" Following graduation from high school, Don received a football scholarship to University of New Mexico. However, after his first semester at UNM, he chose to enlist into the United States Marine Corps with his best friend, Rick Green. After completing boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, he served as a Marine Scout Sniper in Viet Nam from 1969-1971. Following his return home, Don met his first wife, Jeanie Baker, whom he married in 1971. Jeanie and Don had 2 children, Jennifer and Jeremy. He completed undergraduate school on a football scholarship at East Texas State University in Commerce and his Masters of Religious Education at the Southwestern Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. Don served as a youth minister at Fairview Baptist in Sherman, held numerous teaching and coaching positions in various public schools, and worked in sales and distribution positions in the corporate world. Don and Jeanie were married until her untimely death in November 1993. In 1995, Don and a long time Sherman friend, Janis Roberts Gray, reconnected and married on Lake Texoma and watching the spectacular sunsets at the lake. Don's greatest joys were his children and grandchildren including Jennifer Thompson Graul of Southlake, Texas and husband, Marty; and his son, Jeremy Thompson of McKinney and wife, Leah. He also was very proud of his stepson, Jason (A.D.) Gray, IV who lived in Pottsboro. He had 6 precious grandchildren: Emma Thompson, Owen Thompson and Megan Thompson; and Abby Graul, Livy Graul and Arlie Graul. Don is survived by his 2 older brothers, Jim Thompson and wife, Clancy, of Tulsa; and Richard Thompson and wife, Carolyn, of Irving; cousins, Ray Steed; Julia Tucker; and Glenn Brookshire; and nieces and nephews: Krista, Julie, Mark, Paul and Melody. Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanie; his parents; Jim's first wife, Carol Thompson; and uncle Raymond Steed. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don's memory may be made to the Boots to Books and Beyond Fund at Grayson College, which supports educational expenses for veterans returning to college to complete their education.  West Hill Cemetery Elaine Nall Bay ©2020 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |