Gene Edward Thompson

Gene Edward Thompson, 96, of Odessa, Missouri passed away Sunday, December 2, 2012 at the Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2012 at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. Second St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524, with Reverend Sam Fischer officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Odessa City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Odessa or the Odessa Senior Center. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ralphojones.com Gene was born on October 6, 1916 in Iberia, MO to Nathaniel Franklin and Jule Etta (Thomas) Thompson. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in World War II from May 28, 1943 to December 8, 1945. On April 20, 1940 Gene was united in marriage to Mildred E. Oldham in Clinton, MO who survives of the home. In 1982 after 27 years of service he retired from the Allied Signal Corp. formerly the Bendix Corp. as a Pipe Fitter. Gene and Mildred are members of the First United Methodist Church in Odessa. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 476 in Odessa and the Pipe Fitters Union Local 533 for 35 years. Gene has traveled all 48 continental United States. After retirement Gene and Mildred spent the winters in Texas, he loved to be working in the garden or working in his yard and when he was not doing that he could be found wood working or fishing. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by two children, Randall Gene Thompson and wife Sharon Ann of Reeds Spring, MO and Gail Elaine Bryant and husband Jerry of Odessa, MO; three grandchildren, Brandi Henry and husband Eric of Grain Valley, MO, Jennifer Bandy and husband Ron of Bolivar, MO and Michael Thompson and wife Honeylene of Borger, Texas; ten great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters.