He was born in Bartlesville, OK on April 20, 1925, to parents Sylvia Clapp and John Robert Thompson. He was one of seven children. His family lived atop 44 Hill and he graduated from Labadie Heights School. He was a student at College High School when he enlisted in the US Navy to serve his country during WWII. Elmer achieved the rank of Metalsmith, Second Class. He was assigned to the troop transport USS President Adams (APA-19) for the duration of the war. He was awarded a Victory Medal, an American Campaign Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 stars), and a Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon (1 star).

Elmer married the love of his life, Gloria Jeanne Gage, on August 16, 1945 in Bartlesville, OK. They were married for almost 64 years before her death in 2009. The couple had two daughters, Cathey Ann Lee and Connie Jeanne Belcher. He lived in Bartlesville for 89 years until he moved to KS to live near his daughter.

After the war, Elmer returned to Bartlesville to make his home. He worked during the late 1940s and 1950s alongside his father-in-law, W. Clyde Gage, at Gage's Cities Service Gas Station on the corner of 14th and Virginia. Later, he delivered milk for Top Hand Dairy before he worked several years at National Zinc. In 1964, he began working for Phillips Petroleum Company, first in maintenance at the airport and then as a Class A Carpenter in the carpenter shop. He retired in 1985. Following retirement, he worked many years as a self-employed carpenter.

Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Jeanne, and five of his siblings.

Survivors include his daughters, Connie Jeanne Belcher (James) Lubbock, TX and Cathey Ann Lee (David) Oxford, KS; four grandchildren, Mark Belcher (Tina) Lubbock, TX, Scott Belcher Thompson (Denise) Pullman, WA, Andy Lee (Christy) Winfield, KS, and Sarah Hinshaw (Todd) El Dorado, KS; 10 great-grandchildren, and his sister, Lola Gray Sibley Tomball, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Union Rescue Mission, 2800 North Hillside, Wichita, KS 67129.

Come and go visitation for Mr. Thompson will be on Tuesday from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM the family will be present 12:00-2:00 PM in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home, 710 S. Dewey Ave.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 6, at 2:00 PM, in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Chapel, Pastor Scott Thompson will be the officiant.