Larry Thompson

Larry was born in Arlington, Wisconsin on June 16, 1937 to Lucille Morgan and Thomas Thompson.  The oldest of 8 siblings, Larry spent his early years attending Sunday school, singing in choir, playing basketball, football and sharing ice cream with his Grandma Morgan.  At the age of 19 Larry enlisted in the United States Army, completing basic training at Fort Ord, California before being deployed to Okinawa, Japan.
It was here in Okinawa where Larry met the love of his life, Toshiko, whom he married in June of 1960.  Larry and Toshiko raised four children: Larry Harlen, DeeAnn Deiko, Laura Kathleen and Dale Patrick. Throughout his military career, Larry and his family lived in numerous locations around the world, including places such as Paris, France; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan.
Larry served in the Berlin Crisis and the Vietnam War, receiving numerous medals and commendations, including a Bronze Star for heroic service in Vietnam.  Larry retired from active duty in 1984 after 29 years of service, before continuing to work for the United States Army as a Department of Defensive Civil Servant Security Officer and making a permanent home in Okinawa, Japan.
Throughout his life, Larry enjoyed music, choral society, playing football, softball, and coaching youth football and baseball. He also loved SCUBA diving and still found enough time to act as Music Minister at his church. As his children got older and started families of their own, treating his grandchildren and keeping them well-fed became a new favorite pastime.
Larry and Toshiko eventually moved back to the U.S. to be closer to their children, first to Louisiana, where he retired in 2009 after 25 years as a Department of Defense Civil Servant.  They then made their way to South Carolina for a while, before settling down in Rochester, Minnesota.  In his later years, Larry stayed busy with woodworking projects, gardening, crafts, and poetry. He was a Deacon at  his church and hosted educational presentations for his living community.  Larry and Toshiko also enjoyed being out and about, shopping, dining out and visiting family.
Larry passed away peacefully at home on the morning of April 5, 2021 surrounded by his wife and children. He is survived by his wife Toshiko, 4 children Larry (Mina)Thompson of Lexington SC,  DeeAnn Deiko (Randy) Bernard of Luling LA, Laura Tamaki of Rochester MN, Dale(Audrey)Thompson of Fredericksburg VA, 14 grandchildren; Larry, Michael (Andrea), Craig (Erica),Eric (Emily),Tori (Mario), Kylie (Justin) Alex (Sierra), Kristy, Keiko, Christopher, Christina, Andrew, Andrea, Sean. 12 great  grandchildren; Ivy, Lilliana, Tyler, Emri, Mya, Amy, Nolan, Ariah, Clark, Mikayla, Malcolm.  4 siblings; Duane, Nancy, Nola, Kevin.