DERRAL L. "RED" THOMPSON
Derral L. "Red" Thompson, 81, of Virginia, passed away Saturday, Jan.
Derral L. "Red" Thompson, 81, of Virginia, passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at his home.
He was born on April 22, 1930, in Lead, S.D. to William and Marie (Salmon) Thompson and grew up there. Red was a graduate of Lead High School, Class of 1948 and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1952 as a mechanical engineer.
After graduating he moved to Hibbing to work for United States Steel, and on Nov. 4, 1954, he married Georgia M. Fayle and they lived in Hibbing until moving to Virginia in 1964. He retired in 1985 after 33 years of service.
He was a member of the United Methodist church of Virginia; Engineers Club of Northern Minnesota; Life member and Past Master of Virginia Masonic Lodge 264 A.F.&A.M.; Life member and past High Priest of Virginia Chapter No. 77 Royal Arch Masons; Life member and Past Commander of Eveleth Commandery No. 35 Knights Templar; member and Past Illustrious Master of Cryptic Masons and Thrice Illustrious Master of Duluth Council No. 6 Cryptic Masons; member of Iron Range Masonic Club; life member, secretary and Past Venerable Master of Hibbing Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite; member of AAD Temple of the Shrine and member of Vera-Saba Shrine Club. Red was also a 33rd Degree Mason, which is quite an honor and he was named Cryptic Mason of the Year in 1987.
Derral was devoted to taking care of his wife Georgia, who had Alzheimers, at home and at the nursing home for over 20 years.
Red enjoyed work, wife, Masonic Order and playing racquet-ball with his group of friends for over 25 years; and enjoyed his Thursday morning breakfast with his retired friends from U.S. Steel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Georgia Thompson in 2007 and one daughter, Kathryn Sawyer in 2006.
Survivors include one son, David (Eugenia) Thompson of Allentown, Penn; one daughter, Nancy Thompson of Duluth; two grandchildren, Jason Thompson of Alexandria, Virginia and Christine Thompson of New York, NY; one sister, Lois Culver of Minot, N.D.; son-in-law Robert Sawyer of Duluth, and three nephews and one niece.
He enjoyed a close relationship with his daughter Nancy, giving her lifelong lessons in conduct of life and home repair.
MASONIC SERVICE: 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2012, in the Hibbing Masonic Lodge, 1939 East 4th Avenue, with a lunch to follow and a visitation will be from 4 until the 6 p.m. funeral service, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in the Landmark Funeral Home Chapel in Virginia. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Minnesota Masonic Cancer Hospital.
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