Cecil Henry Thompson

Cecil Henry Thompson, long time Wenatchee resident, was surrounded by family as he passed away peacefully in his home on June 30, 2014 after his battle with prostate cancer. Cecil was born on June 9, 1932 in Scobey, Montana to Henry and Hulda Thompson. He was the youngest of seven children. Cecil spent his early years growing up on the family farm in Scobey. Eventually the family moved west to Wenatchee to be near their Telford cousins, returning to Scobey in the summers to work on the family farm. Cecil graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1952. He then attended Eastern Washington College before enlisting in the army, serving at Fort Ord and repairing helicopters in Germany. Upon returning from the Army Cecil finished up his education degree at Central Washington College. Throughout these years, Cecil also worked at Pacific Fruit and Produce. Cecil met his wife Doris Oldenburg through a mutual friend. They were married on November 24, 1961. They had 3 children: Karen, Kathy, and Kris. Cecil taught in the Special Education Department at Pioneer Middle School and Wenatchee High School for 30 years. He took tremendous pride in his students and continued to support them during his retirement years. In 1998, he received the Panther Pride Alumni award for his ongoing involvement with special needs students at Wenatchee High School. Cecil's passions included puttering around in his garden, taking fishing trips with his friends, walking daily with "The Walkers", traveling with his wife, and watching his grandchildren grow. Cecil will be remembered as a kind and caring man with a fun loving sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 53 years; daughters Karen (Jeff) Watson of Walla Walla; Kathy (James) Elwyn of East Wenatchee; Kris (Keith) Henderson of Blaine; grandchildren, Henry and Bob Watson; Kayli, Connor, and Austin Elwyn; Alexandra Henderson; along with his sister Beryle Graff of Scobey, Montana; niece Sandy Weaver of East Wenatchee and numerous other nieces, nephews. He is also survived by the remaining Telford cousins: Hazel, Jim, Delta (Ken), Marlys, Marilyn and Judy. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Hulda Thompson; brother, Oscar Thompson; sisters, Marie Stennes, Audrey Albrecht, Marjorie Thompson, and Deloris Jean Montgomery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the many friends and family who stopped by in recent weeks to visit and play cribbage and to the caregivers from CWH Hospice for their excellent care. A Celebration of Life for Cecil Thompson will be held on Monday, July 21, 2014 at 11:00 am at Celebration Lutheran Church, 801 8th Street NE, East Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WHS Special Needs Memorial Fund, 112 South Elliott, Wenatchee, WA 98801 attn: Gina or a charity of your choice.

Cecil Henry Thompson

June 9, 1932 - June 30, 2014