Garland E. Thompson, CMSGT (USAF, Ret.)

October 10, 1932 - July 20, 2015

Garland E. Thompson, CMSGT (USAF, Ret.) Obituary (Age 82) Dad/Grandpa passed peacefully at Hospice House on July 20, 2015. On October 10, 1932 a country boy was born in Glade Springs, VA. He used to tell us he walked to school seven miles uphill both ways. It was true. Also, he had the grandkids believing he ate pine cones. Later he became a member of the United States Air Force. He met our mother in Spokane, WA, they married and had five children. He exposed us to many new experiences-two tours to Okinawa, upstate New York, and later we called Spokane our home. He also did tours in Guam and Thailand during that time. Dad retired in 1984 with 33 years of dedicated service. He was the highest ranking chief in the 15th Air Force at that time. "Chief" was his name to any Air Force personnel. His retirement gift was a rototiller and a bag of manure, which leads me to tell you he was an avid gardener. He loved to work in the garden, enjoyed fishing, camping, BBQs, traveling, country music, Seahawk and Mariner games, and surrounding himself with family and friends. Garland was a very loving, giving, supportive person in all our lives and would do anything to help if he could. He adored his 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They brought so much laughter to his life. Dad wanted a special "Thank You" to his granddaughter Amanda for taking such good care of him, it meant the world to him. Dad is survived by his companion Virginia Nesdahl; daughter Kathy White, son Steve (Dorothy) Thompson, son Scott (Laura) Thompson, daughter Tamara Thompson, and son Mike (Connie) Thompson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Marilynn; son David and grandson Nicholas Thompson. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210. A time of visitation will be held on Monday, July 27, 2015 at Heritage Funeral Home, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 11:00am at Heritage Funeral Chapel.