Gayle (Kent) Thompson |
| Posted 2018-03-22 by Pat R |
| Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, December 20, 2017, p. A-5 Gayle Thompson May 27, 1939-Dec. 7, 2017 Gayle (Kent) Thompson, 78, of Congress, passed away peacefully Dec. 7, 2017, at her son's home in Wickenburg, surrounded by her family. Born May 27, 1939, to the late Edney and Alice Kent, Gayle grew up in Jordan, N.Y., where she developed her love for horses and the 4-H Club. In 1960 she met the love of her life, Jim, while both were attending the University of Connecticut where she graduated in 1961, with a bachelor of science degree in home economics. Gayle and Jim were married on Dec. 27, 1961 and would have celebrated 56 years of marriage. Throughout their years together they enjoyed pig farming in Jordan, N.Y.; dairy farming in Sterling, N.Y.; and the last 42 years on the Thompson Cattle Ranch in Congress. Gayle was the oldest of seven children. She loved riding horses, swimming (the colder the water the better), reading, and gambling. She enjoyed working with children and spent several of her early years working with the Red Cross program as a swim instructor, and the cooperative extension (4-H) service. In later years she was the president of both the Wickenburg Saddle Club and Wickenburg Little League Association, a team mom for Pop Warner Football, and taught school as a substitute teacher in both Wickenburg and Aguila schools. After retirement she and Jim enjoyed several trips to Hawaii, as well as traveling to Australia and Alaska. Gayle was also a great cook and party planner, and she loved hosting parties for her family and friends at their ranch in Congress (she was also known to get a poker game going later in the evenings). During her years as a Las Damas Member she hosted and catered many trail rides at the ranch. Most recently she ran the food concession at the rock crawling event they hosted each year for the past four years. Gayle is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Suzanne. She is survived by her loving husband, James Thompson; her son Timothy Thompson (Nancy); daughter Laurie Mitchell (Kevin);son TJ Thompson (Carrie); five grandchildren, Heath Thompson (Mareesa); Josh Thompson (Tarah); Chance Thompson (Bobbi); Alicia Lemley (Jason); Grayce Thompson, and seven great-grandchildren: Koen, Cason, Connor, Pyper, Presley, Kate and Sara. She also has two brothers, three sisters and several nieces and nephews. A private service was held for the family by Fr. Ron Keel and Deacon Debra Loder of St. Alban's Episcopal Church where Gayle and Jim were long time members. However, all are welcome to join the family in a celebration of life for Gayle Thompson, on Jan. 13, 2018, noon, at the Thompson Ranch, located at 21500 Date Creek Rd.in Congress. In lieu of cards and flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley at www.hov.org/donate |
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