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Walter J. Thompson • 1908 - 2005 Walter J. Thompson, 97, of Kenmare passed away at the Good Samaritan Center in Mohall on Thursday evening, July 7th. He was born in Berthold, ND on December 9, 1908, to Maurice and Amelia (Jacobson) Thompson. He moved to Kenmare with his family at about the age of 6 and attended the Kenmare Public School. In 1937 he married the former Lucille Elgie, also of Kenmare. Walter was named to the Kenmare police force in April, 1937 and served until August 1941 when he was appointed to the Highway Patrol. He enlisted in the army and served as a military policeman from March 1944 to April 1946. On his discharge, he resumed his duties with the patrol. During his tenure as a lawman, Walter attended innumerable police schools, including Military Police schools at Fort Custer, Michigan and traffic investigation schools at Northwestern University in Chicago. He was past president of the North Dakota Police Officers Association. Walter was the first president of the Ward County Police Officers Training Association and a charter member of the Montana-North Dakota Peace Officers Association. He was consecutive champion for four years of the Association's pistol shooting competition and frequently won honors at the Winnipeg Invitational Shoot. He helped organize the Kenmare Pistol and Rifle Club, helping with the young people. Walter retired in December 1968. Fraternally, Walter was a member of Sherwood Lodge A.F.& A.M., served in all offices of Golden Link I.O.O.F. and the Encampment and held membership in the Patriarch Militant, the uniformed branch of the Odd Fellows. He was also a life member of the American Legion of which he is a past commander of Heidenberg-Peterson Post and served as district commander, the National Order of Trench Rats and the North Dakota Peace Officers Association. In earlier years, Walter was active in Boy Scouting and served as Kenmare cub master. He also was involved with the Horse Racing Association and gave liberally of his time and provided real estate for the track on his farm. Walter is survived by his three children, Charlotte Martin of Shelton, WA, Judy Geerdes of San Antonio, TX, and James of Emory, TX. His wife, Lucille, preceded him in death as did his, two brothers and two sisters. He has one brother and four sisters surviving. Memorial Service: Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Kenmare. Friends may sign the register book one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare Music: Congregational hymns, "Softly and Tenderly,
Jesus Is Calling" Honorary Bearers: Marvin Graveson, Floyd Graveson, LeRoy Graveson, Donald Graveson Mark Graveson, Gary Graveson and Kenny Graveson
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