Born Rufus Saxton Thompson Jr. on September 18, 1920 in San Diego, CA to Rufus Saxton and Mable Claire (Higgins)Thompson, he legally changed his name to Richard Blaine Thompson as an older man. He was always called Richard Blaine and never Rufus Saxton. At his birth, his father said there would never be another Rufus Saxton Thompson and refused to call him that.
Richard played football during high school and entered the military shortly after graduation in 1938. Two photos of him appeared in Life Magazine in Sept 1941 on board ship in Hampton Roads. During WWII he was in charge of a gun crew on Merchant ships, one of which was the first ship to arrive in Murmansk, Russia after passing through Hells Gate.
His best friend was killed by a shell during the war. The friend's comment to Richard as he died, "Tommy, it's a hell of a way to die. We can't even fire back." They were running silent at the time.
On July 12, 1946, Richard married Jeraldine (Scott) Kerlin, a divorcee with a young daughter. A child he raised and loved as his own. Three years later Richard and "Jerry" welcomed another daughter, Deborah Claire, into their family. Much of his early life was spent in the Newport News area.
After the death of his first wife, "Jerry," Richard married Lois Marie Morris. When her elderly mother became ill, they moved to San Diego where they spent several years. After her mother's death they moved to Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
Richard loved his children and grandchildren very much and enjoyed spending time with them. Later in life he and Lois Marie moved to Virginia Beach to be near his daughter, Debbie.
Richard's mind remained sharp until the end, even though his body began to fail. Lois Marie, and his children were with him at the time of his death, shortly after a stroke.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Obituary -
Richard B. Thompson, 91, passed away October 15, 2011 at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. Richard retired from Lone Star Industries after 30 years of service as a Superintendant. He proudly served in the United States Navy, and was a World War II veteran.
Richard is predeceased by his first wife Jeraldine Scott Thompson; and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Lois Morris Thompson; daughters Linda T. Cooper (Rex, Sr.), Deborah T. Salvant (Bernard M.), Elizabeth H. Pilley, and Mary S. Howton (M. Alan); grandchildren Rex Cooper, Jr., Dawn Cooper, Tamara Cooper, Jonathan Salvant, Scott Salvant, Jennifer Poole, Amanda Holbrook, Rebecca Pilley, Katie Pilley, Jayson Harvey, and Ryan Harvey; and great-grandchildren Jadon Salvant, Caroline Salvant, McKenna Salvant, David Salvant, Jeff Salvant, Ava Salvant, Eli Salvant, Shelby Cooper, Alexandria Harvey, Emily Howton, Ayva Harvey, Robert A. Howton, Braydon Harvey, BayLeigh Jones, EmaLeigh Jones, Ella Poole, Sebastian Holbrook, Leighla Holbrook, and Oscar Holbrook. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Alan Bartel and Dr. John R. Waitekus and staff for many years of service.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 18, at 11 am in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk
Richard played football during high school and entered the military shortly after graduation in 1938. Two photos of him appeared in Life Magazine in Sept 1941 on board ship in Hampton Roads. During WWII he was in charge of a gun crew on Merchant ships, one of which was the first ship to arrive in Murmansk, Russia after passing through Hells Gate.
His best friend was killed by a shell during the war. The friend's comment to Richard as he died, "Tommy, it's a hell of a way to die. We can't even fire back." They were running silent at the time.
On July 12, 1946, Richard married Jeraldine (Scott) Kerlin, a divorcee with a young daughter. A child he raised and loved as his own. Three years later Richard and "Jerry" welcomed another daughter, Deborah Claire, into their family. Much of his early life was spent in the Newport News area.
After the death of his first wife, "Jerry," Richard married Lois Marie Morris. When her elderly mother became ill, they moved to San Diego where they spent several years. After her mother's death they moved to Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
Richard loved his children and grandchildren very much and enjoyed spending time with them. Later in life he and Lois Marie moved to Virginia Beach to be near his daughter, Debbie.
Richard's mind remained sharp until the end, even though his body began to fail. Lois Marie, and his children were with him at the time of his death, shortly after a stroke.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Obituary -
Richard B. Thompson, 91, passed away October 15, 2011 at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. Richard retired from Lone Star Industries after 30 years of service as a Superintendant. He proudly served in the United States Navy, and was a World War II veteran.
Richard is predeceased by his first wife Jeraldine Scott Thompson; and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Lois Morris Thompson; daughters Linda T. Cooper (Rex, Sr.), Deborah T. Salvant (Bernard M.), Elizabeth H. Pilley, and Mary S. Howton (M. Alan); grandchildren Rex Cooper, Jr., Dawn Cooper, Tamara Cooper, Jonathan Salvant, Scott Salvant, Jennifer Poole, Amanda Holbrook, Rebecca Pilley, Katie Pilley, Jayson Harvey, and Ryan Harvey; and great-grandchildren Jadon Salvant, Caroline Salvant, McKenna Salvant, David Salvant, Jeff Salvant, Ava Salvant, Eli Salvant, Shelby Cooper, Alexandria Harvey, Emily Howton, Ayva Harvey, Robert A. Howton, Braydon Harvey, BayLeigh Jones, EmaLeigh Jones, Ella Poole, Sebastian Holbrook, Leighla Holbrook, and Oscar Holbrook. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Alan Bartel and Dr. John R. Waitekus and staff for many years of service.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 18, at 11 am in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk
Born Rufus Saxton Thompson Jr. on September 18, 1920 in San Diego, CA to Rufus Saxton and Mable Claire (Higgins)Thompson, he legally changed his name to Richard Blaine Thompson as an older man. He was always called Richard Blaine and never Rufus Saxton. At his birth, his father said there would never be another Rufus Saxton Thompson and refused to call him that.
Richard played football during high school and entered the military shortly after graduation in 1938. Two photos of him appeared in Life Magazine in Sept 1941 on board ship in Hampton Roads. During WWII he was in charge of a gun crew on Merchant ships, one of which was the first ship to arrive in Murmansk, Russia after passing through Hells Gate.
His best friend was killed by a shell during the war. The friend's comment to Richard as he died, "Tommy, it's a hell of a way to die. We can't even fire back." They were running silent at the time.
On July 12, 1946, Richard married Jeraldine (Scott) Kerlin, a divorcee with a young daughter. A child he raised and loved as his own. Three years later Richard and "Jerry" welcomed another daughter, Deborah Claire, into their family. Much of his early life was spent in the Newport News area.
After the death of his first wife, "Jerry," Richard married Lois Marie Morris. When her elderly mother became ill, they moved to San Diego where they spent several years. After her mother's death they moved to Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
Richard loved his children and grandchildren very much and enjoyed spending time with them. Later in life he and Lois Marie moved to Virginia Beach to be near his daughter, Debbie.
Richard's mind remained sharp until the end, even though his body began to fail. Lois Marie, and his children were with him at the time of his death, shortly after a stroke.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Obituary -
Richard B. Thompson, 91, passed away October 15, 2011 at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. Richard retired from Lone Star Industries after 30 years of service as a Superintendant. He proudly served in the United States Navy, and was a World War II veteran.
Richard is predeceased by his first wife Jeraldine Scott Thompson; and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Lois Morris Thompson; daughters Linda T. Cooper (Rex, Sr.), Deborah T. Salvant (Bernard M.), Elizabeth H. Pilley, and Mary S. Howton (M. Alan); grandchildren Rex Cooper, Jr., Dawn Cooper, Tamara Cooper, Jonathan Salvant, Scott Salvant, Jennifer Poole, Amanda Holbrook, Rebecca Pilley, Katie Pilley, Jayson Harvey, and Ryan Harvey; and great-grandchildren Jadon Salvant, Caroline Salvant, McKenna Salvant, David Salvant, Jeff Salvant, Ava Salvant, Eli Salvant, Shelby Cooper, Alexandria Harvey, Emily Howton, Ayva Harvey, Robert A. Howton, Braydon Harvey, BayLeigh Jones, EmaLeigh Jones, Ella Poole, Sebastian Holbrook, Leighla Holbrook, and Oscar Holbrook. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Alan Bartel and Dr. John R. Waitekus and staff for many years of service.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 18, at 11 am in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk
Richard played football during high school and entered the military shortly after graduation in 1938. Two photos of him appeared in Life Magazine in Sept 1941 on board ship in Hampton Roads. During WWII he was in charge of a gun crew on Merchant ships, one of which was the first ship to arrive in Murmansk, Russia after passing through Hells Gate.
His best friend was killed by a shell during the war. The friend's comment to Richard as he died, "Tommy, it's a hell of a way to die. We can't even fire back." They were running silent at the time.
On July 12, 1946, Richard married Jeraldine (Scott) Kerlin, a divorcee with a young daughter. A child he raised and loved as his own. Three years later Richard and "Jerry" welcomed another daughter, Deborah Claire, into their family. Much of his early life was spent in the Newport News area.
After the death of his first wife, "Jerry," Richard married Lois Marie Morris. When her elderly mother became ill, they moved to San Diego where they spent several years. After her mother's death they moved to Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
Richard loved his children and grandchildren very much and enjoyed spending time with them. Later in life he and Lois Marie moved to Virginia Beach to be near his daughter, Debbie.
Richard's mind remained sharp until the end, even though his body began to fail. Lois Marie, and his children were with him at the time of his death, shortly after a stroke.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Obituary -
Richard B. Thompson, 91, passed away October 15, 2011 at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. Richard retired from Lone Star Industries after 30 years of service as a Superintendant. He proudly served in the United States Navy, and was a World War II veteran.
Richard is predeceased by his first wife Jeraldine Scott Thompson; and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Lois Morris Thompson; daughters Linda T. Cooper (Rex, Sr.), Deborah T. Salvant (Bernard M.), Elizabeth H. Pilley, and Mary S. Howton (M. Alan); grandchildren Rex Cooper, Jr., Dawn Cooper, Tamara Cooper, Jonathan Salvant, Scott Salvant, Jennifer Poole, Amanda Holbrook, Rebecca Pilley, Katie Pilley, Jayson Harvey, and Ryan Harvey; and great-grandchildren Jadon Salvant, Caroline Salvant, McKenna Salvant, David Salvant, Jeff Salvant, Ava Salvant, Eli Salvant, Shelby Cooper, Alexandria Harvey, Emily Howton, Ayva Harvey, Robert A. Howton, Braydon Harvey, BayLeigh Jones, EmaLeigh Jones, Ella Poole, Sebastian Holbrook, Leighla Holbrook, and Oscar Holbrook. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Alan Bartel and Dr. John R. Waitekus and staff for many years of service.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 18, at 11 am in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk
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