Howard passed away on April 26th, 2024, of cancer. He was born on July 7th, 1934, in Everett, WA to Hugh and Elcie Thompson, the first of four children. Howard grew up in Marysville, WA, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1954. Following graduation, he served 2 years in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii. His official title was Tank Commander, but he spent his 2 years in service playing football for the 25th Division and coaching the officers’ sons in little league football.
Howard was married to Joan Newman on September 8th, 1962. They have two children, Hugh Brett Thompson (Tessy) and Holly Small (Eric). They have wonderful grandchildren: Britney, Brooke, Bethany, Baird, Bjorn, and bonus grandchildren Leif (Mikel) and Carmen. Howard and Joanie were married for 62 years. Most of those years were spent on a small farm in Arlington where Howard and his two children raised Black Angus cattle.
Family came first with Howard, but agriculture was a close second. This interest carried over to his service to his community. He served on several board of directors: the Coop Supply under the management of Howard Sowards, the advisory board at the Marysville Livestock Auction, and the FFA advisory board at Marysville Pilchuck High School with educator Andy Delegans. Howard loved his work with the Marysville FFA chapter helping students train animals for our local fairs. He was right there with them at every fair cheering them on.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents Hugh Thompson, Elcie Thompson Hilker, his stepfather Henry Hilker, his brother Wayne Thompson, and his sister Phyllis Thompson Crabb.
Howard loved “his people”. He lived his life his way and gave the rest of us the room to live ours. He felt that his family anchored his life. He was proud of his children and daughter-in-law, Tessy. He adored his grandchildren, and he thought his son-in-law, Eric, was a gift from heaven!
Peace has come! There will be a memorial service for Howard on Saturday, May 18th at 2:00pm at:
Marysville United Methodist Church
5600 64th St. NE
Marysville, WA 98270
360-659-8521
In leu of flowers please consider donating to Stanwood FFA or your local 4H chapter.
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