Obituary of Don James Thompson, Sr

The morning of May 2, 2023 Don James Thompson Sr went home to be with God's son Jesus and his Son Don (DJ) Thompson Jr.
Don was born in Holyoke Massachusetts to Minna Gardner Thompson and Ralph Thompson.
He was a little brother to Gardner and Shirley and big brother to sister Gail.
He attended grade school in Holyoke and was noted for his competitive swimming in the Connecticut River.  He joined the Air Force upon high school graduation. The GI bill enabled Don to attend and graduate from the university of Miami with a degree in Business Administration.
He continued to live in Miami and was employed by the Travelers Insurance Company.  He met his wife Yvonne Henz Thompson in Miami, and they married in 1961.  Soon after, Don was transferred to the Travelers Tampa office.  Don was active in the Tampa Jaycees. In the mid 1960s Don was employed by Massachusetts Mutual and in 1970 was a member of the Mass Mutual Leaders Club.
in 1969 Don and Yvonne were blessed with the birth of their only child Don James Thompson Jr. (DJ).
In 1970 Don became a partner in an insurance agency in St Petersburg and the family built and moved into a new home in St Petersburg that included Yvonne's parents, brother and sister.
Life with Don was family oriented and typical...work, church, school, neighbors and friends, backyard pool parties and bridge groups. All remembered with some tears and many smiles.
in 1985 DJ was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor that was treated with radiation.  Don was a devoted Dad throughout the years of care that followed.  Don's understanding of the formidable challenges of children enduring physical and mental disabilities led him to be deeply involved in the Pinellas County Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center that worked  tirelessly to ease the challenges these children faced.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved son DJ, his parents and 3 siblings.  He leaves behind his spouse of 62 years, Yvonne, his brother and sister in laws, Bill and Jackie Henz, Chuck and Verlynn Henz, Suzanne (Henz) and Jerry Ratlevge, his nephews and nieces and their families, Billy Henz, Tina (Lundgren) Posch, Shannon (Henz) Gibbons, Jonathan Henz, Ryan Carter, Todd Carter and Vaughn, Brian, Kevin and Gregg Dobalian.
A celebration of Don's life will take place at Anderson McQueen Northeast Chapel at 2201 Dr. M.L. King Street North, St Petersburg on May 9 from 3-6pm. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Raphael Catholic Church on Wednesday May 10th at 11am with Monsignor Robert Gibbons presiding.
Immediately following the mass interment with military honors will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
We thank each of you who have journeyed with us through many happy and sad times. We are blessed to have you in our life.  Any prayer, act of kindness or donation to a charity that cares for the wounded among us will be pleasing to Don and his family.

To view a Recording of the Service: CLICK HERE (Available for 90 Days)