Wesley Swain Thompson's Obituary
Big Rapids - Wesley Swain Thompson (Big Wes, Grandad, and Poppy), 75, passed away unexpectedly at his winter home in Gulfport, Florida on Monday, March 13, 2023.
Wesley is survived by the love of his life, Mary Doriene Hoover, from Ada, MI. Wesley and Mary would have celebrated their Golden Anniversary on March 24, 2023. Big Wes' loss was very sudden; his entire family is stunned and deeply saddened.
Wesley was born to Everett and Lorraine Thompson, February 27th, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. Wesley graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Willingboro, New Jersey; after graduation he enlisted into the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Vietnam War on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Hornet, in Southeast Asia. Wesley proudly served 4 years of active duty and 2 years in the reserves, until his honorable discharge in 1972.
Wesley received an associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service, from Ferris State College in Big Rapids. He went on to further his education at Ferris, earning a Bachelor of Science in Trade-Technical Education, and later earned his Master's in Industrial Education from Central Michigan University. After graduating from Ferris, Wesley made his career teaching automotive, welding, and special education at Chippewa Hills High School in Remus. Wesley had a profound impact on many of his students; he was a dedicated educator who enjoyed shaping the lives and future career paths of his students.
Wesley took his family every summer to the house where he spent his adolescence, in a quiet little colony called Manunka Chunk on the Delaware River in Columbia, New Jersey, south of the Delaware Water Gap, giving his family a chance to experience his east coast life, and many happy memories.
Wesley lived life to the fullest; even after his retirement from Chippewa Hills in 1998, he shifted his gears to learn something new. He received his real estate license in 2001 and went on to work for Rivertown Reality in Big Rapids, until 2010, when he "officially" retired to enjoy the Michigan winters in Gulfport, Florida. He would always come back to Big Rapids to enjoy the spring/summer seasons!
Wesley had an immense passion and talent for playing the drums and upright bass, spending many weekends playing in bands throughout West Michigan. Wesley enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening, traveling, and just having a good time with his family and friends. Anyone who knew Wesley knew that he was a caring, loving, passionate, warm person.
He leaves as his legacy two children, Veronica DeYarmon (Scott) of Columbus, OH, and Wesley Swain Thompson II (Melissa) of Big Rapids. He also leaves to cherish his memory three grandchildren, Andrew Franklin DeYarmon, Jackson Wesley Thompson, and Nathan Everett Eagle. He leaves his older brother and his children, Roger Thompson (Sue); niece Sarah Henix (Ken), and three nephews, Mathew Thompson (Pam), Benjamin Thompson, and Nathan Thompson (Erika).
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor Robert Kahly officiating. Spring burial will be in the Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids. Wes's family will greet friends at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) . Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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