Glenn G. "Tommy" Thompson Obituary – Rochester

The funeral service for Glenn G. "Tommy" Thompson will be 10:00AM Thursday, May 7th in the River Park Chapel of Macken Funeral Home in Rochester officiated by Rev. David Lieder of Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military graveside honors provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation is Wednesday, May 6th from 5PM to 8PM, in the River Park Chapel and from 9AM to 10AM on Thursday prior to the service.

Mr. Thompson, age 84 of Rochester, MN died Friday May 1, 2015 following a 2 year battle with cancer.

He was born May 27, 1930 to Albert and Alma (Johnson) Thompson and grew up in Spring Valley, MN where he graduated from high school. He joined the United States Air Force in 1950 and was stationed in Germany as a boom operator on air-to-air refueling missions and also served as a mechanic on the ground. He was a member of the American Legion. He married Elaine Marcella Joyce on August 12, 1958 in Grand Meadow, MN; she preceded him in death in September 2011.

Tommy was a truck driver his entire life starting when he was just a teenager. He spent many years hauling for Sizer Trucking, and then started working for the City of Rochester; he worked in the Street and Alley department for decades where he retired in 1990. Later, he began transporting cars part time all over the country. He was a member of Operating Engineers Local 49 and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

Tommy was an avid car enthusiast; he was a founding member of the SCCR (Sports Car Club of Rochester), a member of the Stewie Cruisers Car Club where he took pride in showing his vehicles at the weekly get togethers, among other car shows.

He enjoyed all of his daily, weekly and monthly Coffee Clubs. The friendships he made were very special to him.

Over the years Tommy and his family opened their home to dozens of foreign nursing students in the Mayo program offering them support and a home away from home.

He is survived by his daughter Lisa (Joe) Gaona of Inver Grove Heights, MN; and a Son Jeff (Teri) Thompson and grandson Charlie of Eau Claire, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and an infant daughter.

The family would like to thank Mayo Hospice, St. Marys Hospital staff and also Glenn's cousin Sandra Wilker for the loving care, support and friendship they gave to Glenn these last few years.