Jere Darryl Thompson's Obituary
Jere Darryl Thompson, age 74 of Edmore, MI passed away Monday, November 02, 2015 at his home after a long battle with cancer. Darryl was born in Alma, MI, one of two sons of Donald and Pauline (Humphrey) Thompson of New Haven, Gratiot Co. He attended school at both Fulton and Carson City, graduating from the latter in 1960.
Darryl's military career took him to Europe twice and to Japan. He had many assignments including the Walter Reed Institute of Research, the old Federal Building in Pittsburgh and the Department of Defense's Communication Agency in Tokyo, Japan; where he met his second wife. Upon returning to civilian life he held a position with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority until his retirement.
Jere loved to travel, fish, read and go on hiking and camping trips. He was especially fond of the North Country Trail where he logged thirteen hundred miles with a dog named "Trail". He completed the High Country Pathway in the Pigeon River Forest, an eighty mile loop twice. Jere looked forward to walking 40 miles along the Manistee River on the NCT most every year after retirement. He has done the Fox River Pathway, Seney to Lake Superior, The Lake Shore Trail from Grand Marais to Munising in the Pictured Rocks, the Knob stone Trail (KT) in Southern Indiana, some of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio The Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota, a 1000 miles of the Florida Trail and the Appalachian Trail in Virginia in 2012 & 2013.
Jere is survived by his only brother, Gordon L. Thompson of Portland, a step-son, Joshua Johnson of Stanton, 3 nieces, Brijette Byrd, Nichole Tompkins and Heather Thompson all of Michigan and one nephew, Stacy Thompson of Indiana. Jere was preceded in death by his parents, 2 wives, Takako who came from Japan and April Johnson who came from Cleveland, Ohio, an infant daughter who was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Jere wishes to thank Teresa Good, Barbara Bristol his neighbors and anyone else who stood by him during his battle with cancer.
"HE WALKED EVERY PATH AND TRAVELED EVERY ROAD"
A Celebration of Jere's life will take place on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 12:00 PM from the Brigham Funeral Chapel-Edmore, 413 E. Gilson St, Edmore, MI 48829. A private interment will take place in New Haven Cemetery, Sumner, MI. Visitation will also take place on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Those planning a memorial contribution are asked to consider your local animal shelters.
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