Ronald Edward Thompson

Ronald E. Thompson, beloved husband, cherished father and grandfather, died on Sunday, February 27, at age 90. He met his wife Marilyn on a blind date and it was love at first sight; she was the love of his life for 64 years. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Rex and Clara, and his identical twin brother Don. He is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 64 years, and by his son Jeff Thompson and daughters Karen Gordon, Susan Price, Nancy Woodworth, Sally Gant and Claire Manke; grandchildren Emily, Ellen, David, Jordan, Garrett, Broc, Derek, Pete, Sean, Ron, Annette, Mark, Jane, Brett and RJ; and great-grandchildren Tora, Zoe, Alden, Brady and Lily.

Ron was born in Bremerton, WA, and attended South Kitsap High School. He graduated from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business in 1953 and the UW School of Law in 1958. He was a veteran of the Korean War and continued to serve in the US Army Reserve until his retirement as a colonel in 1988.

Ron took great pleasure in a long career as a lawyer. He helped to establish access to legal services for people in need. In addition, he devoted himself to several Tacoma focused organizations, including the Municipal League, Tacoma Sister City Program with Japan, Optimist Club, Pierce County Economic Development Board and Tacoma Rescue Mission.

A life-long love of movies was a passion tracing back to his parents, owners of several theaters in the Bremerton/Port Orchard area. He especially enjoyed piling his six pajama-clad kids into the family’s station wagon and taking them to the drive-in.

His favorite moments were with his family— travelling, hiking and camping— and Sundays with his son Jeff.  A member of the Gig Harbor Golf and Country Club, Ron teed off every Wednesday with a group of good friends.

Please celebrate Ron by going on a walk in the woods to enjoy nature as he did. Donations can be made to the Emergency Food Network, https://efoodnet.org/donate/

Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1123 North J Street, Tacoma, WA 98403 on Friday, March 25 at 11:00 am. A reception will be held immediately following at the church.

Live streaming courtesy of St. Patrick's Church can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Kbjm8TEJTek