Wayne E. Thompson

Birth: December 13, 1929 | Died: March 24, 2024

Wayne Eugene Thompson was born on Friday, December 13, 1929 in Topeka, Kansas. He was the youngest of 3 boys to Errol and Flota Thompson, who proceeded him by death, along with his two brothers, Errol and Bernie. He is survived by his loving wife Dolores of 73 years, give or take a few…and father to four children-Maureen(Brian), Carolyn(Ron), Wayne(Rosa) and Scott(Annie), as well as Grandpa to 10 grandkids and 7 great-grandkids. In his youth, his family moved from Topeka to Venice, CA, where he met our mom at a malt shop in Culver City. They were married on March 10, 1951 before dad was drafted into the Army to serve in the Korean War. When dad finished his service, they moved all the way to Orange County to Garden Grove where he began his career as a carpenter and eventually ended up building his new home in Anaheim of 1957, the home he ended up spending all of his life.

Over the years, dad enjoyed hunting and fishing, however he never ate fish! Eventually he changed his career to electrician and had a long, fulfilling career. Dad had many friends throughout his life and cheated death many times with jolts from electricity and falls from ladders.

In 2014, Dad was blessed to return to Korea with his good buddy Dean, a fellow Korean War soldier, to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the Armistice with several survivors from the Korean War. Dad loved history and was able to take two separate trips east to follow parts of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. The first trip was with his granddaughter Kelly, and daughter Carolyn, during the 200th Anniversary of the Expedition. He visited Yellowstone, saw the Snake River and the Grand Tetons. A later trip was with his great-grandson Hunter, daughter’s Maureen and Carolyn, where he visited his childhood home on Poplar Lane in Topeka, Kansas, as well as visiting so many other historical sights, including the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers’ in the spot where the Lewis & Clark Expedition began.

Dad’s last years were spent with loving caregivers: Patti, Marci, Debbie and so many more. Patti remembers dad hated his vegetables but she would bribe him to eat them with the promise of a donut when he finished. His favorite meal was a toss between spare ribs, a chili cheese dog, or a Carl’s Jr hamburger.

Dad and mom loved animals. We often joked that even if an elephant was lost and ended up on their porch, they would bring it in.

Dad died peacefully in the home he built, 66 years ago, on Palm Sunday morning, surrounded by loving prayers, the rosary, with mom holding his hand.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please make a donation to a local animal shelter.