Lee Thompson, 83, of Exira, passed away late Saturday, December 26, 2015, at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic, Iowa

Lee Marinus Thompson, the son of Nels Marinus and Edith (Quist) Thompson, was born April 19, 1932 at his parents' home in Brayton, Iowa.

Lee was baptized at the Brayton Baptist Church. He attended rural school there and later traveled around Iowa with his father, helping the carnival. Lee enlisted in the United States Army in November of 1952. During his tour of duty, he was stationed at Fort Poke, LA., and was honorably discharged in November of 1954. Lee returned to the Exira area where he was employed at the grocery store in Exira.

On November 11, 1953, he was united in marriage to JoAnn Markley in Leesville, Louisiana. Five children were born to this union: Kim, Christi, Michael, Mitchell and Leah.

He was later employed with the Audubon County Secondary Roads Department, where he was a heavy equipment operator for 36 years, until he retired in 1994.

Lee devoted his life to his wife and family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was a member of the Brayton Baptist Church. He was a Golden Eagle Life Member of the National Rifle Association. He was a proud member of The Lucky 13 Club in Exira, made up of the 13 men that stood on a trailer on the West side of town all night, helping save peoples' lives through the Flood of 1958. He was also a member of the National License Plate Collectors Association and enjoyed acquiring license plates. Lee was a poet and has had some poems published. He also spent time traveling and doing reenactments as a member of the Cowboy Action Shoots Association. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Thompson of Atlantic; their children, Kim Thompson (Carol) of Atlantic, Christi Knutsen (Todd) of Atlantic, Michael Thompson (Yvonne) of Des Moines, Mitchell Thompson of Audubon and Leah Edie (Mitch) of Atlantic; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Nancy (Dallas) Munch of Exira; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Lee was preceded in death by his grandson, Chadwick Thompson; step-grandson, Brian Wright; his parents; his brothers and sister, Donald (Jackie) Christensen, Edna (Gene) Rohrer, Cecil Thompson, Bulea Thompson (in infancy), and Cleo Thompson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2016, at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, with Pastor Larry Mitchell, officiating. The family will meet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Oakfield Cemetery east of Brayton, Iowa.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Lee’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com


IN REMEMBRANCE OF

Lee Marinus Thompson

BORN
April 19, 1932
Rural Brayton, Iowa

DIED
Saturday, December 26, 2015
At the age of
83 years, 8 months & 7 days
Atlantic, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Two o’clock p.m.
Roland Funeral Home
Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Larry Mitchell

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“In the Garden”
recorded by Elvis Presley

"In Color"
recorded by Jamey Johnson

CASKET BEARERS
Jeremiah Thompson
Shawn Hopkins
Scott Jackson
Alan Hopkins
Cody Lillard
Kyler Edie
Jacob Thompson
C.J. Benton
Nathaniel Thompson

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Danielle Hadley
Erica Bengel

INTERMENT
Oakfield Cemetery
East of Brayton, Iowa