ROYCE THOMPSON

Longtime resident Royce Byron Thompson, 84, passed away on Nov. 10, 2001, from natural causes, at the Palmer Pioneers' Home.

Mr. Thompson was born Sept. 27, 1917 in Richland, Ore. He served in World War II in the Army as a sergeant stationed in the South Pacific Arena. He was married to Edith Blanchard in 1946. They raised their four children, Robert, Beth, Joyce and Carl, in Bates, Ore., where Mr. Thompson worked as a millwright for 18 years. In 1967 they moved to Ninilchik, where Mr. Thompson worked as head custodian of the Ninilchik School for 15 years.

Mr. Thompson was a member of the Nazarene Church in Soldotna for 18 years and the Anchor Point Nazarene Church until his death. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith, in 1985 , and by his second wife, Jean, in June 2000.

Mr. Thompson is survived by his four children and their spouses, Robert and Suellen Thompson of Ninilchik, Dan and Beth Stevens of Nikiski, Mac and Joyce Chesney of Kasilof and Carl Thompson of Sterling. He had eight grandchildren.

His family wrote: "Royce is remembered as a very loving, affectionate father and grandpa with a great sense of humor and he will be deeply missed by his family."

A private family burial was held at the Ninilchik Cemetery on Tuesday, Nov. 13 and a memorial service will be held Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. at the Soldotna Nazarene Church.

Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.