Services for Don L. B. Thompson, 78, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Father Billy Lewis will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery.
Mr. Thompson passed away Friday, December 25, 2015 at the Ada Care Center. He was born May 2, 1937 in Ada to Newton Jasper and Clara Elizabeth Simpson Thompson. He attended Ahloso grade school and graduated from Stonewall High School in 1956. He was a member of the Stonewall 1955 State Champion basketball team. He received basketball scholarships from Southeastern University and then East Central University where he played. Don served in the U. S. Army Reserve from 1958 to 1964.
He married Joan Brannon May 17, 1963 in Ada. Don was a surveyor for the U. S. Geological Survey where he mapped out islands in Lake Michigan and also surveyed for the Oklahoma State Highway Department. He surveyed the dam at Lake Eufaula when it was built and numerous highways and bridges in the state. In the later, 1960’s, he was the ranch manager for Dr. Hall’s Arrowhead Ranch south of Ada. Don retired from Holcim Cement Plant as the Maintenance/Repair Supervisor in 1999 after 40 years of service. He served as the President and Secretary of the Local 114 Boilermakers Union for several years.
Survivors include his wife, Joan, of the home; a daughter, Leah Counts of Stonewall; two sons, Joey Thompson and his wife Tammy of Ada and Wade Thompson and his wife Amber of Ada; eight grandchildren, Cheyenne Counts, Cierra Counts, Ashlyn Beeler and husband Christian, Kalen Thompson, Chesney Counts, Kate Thompson, Knox Thompson and Alex Thompson; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Hillard Sherrell Thompson and Roger Thompson.
Bearers will be Kalen Thompson, Johnny Thompson, Nate Austin, Ethan Difalco, Tony Gonzalez and Jose Gonzalez. Honorary bearers will be Charlie Krause, Don Northcutt, Chip Davis, Morris McGehee, Jim Goss, Danny James, Tommy Palmer, Donnie Butler and David Keys.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
