Patricia Lee Thompson, 71, a former Halfway resident, died April 3, 2009, after a long illness at Mount Grant Hospital in Hawthorne, Nev.
Pat was born on Sept. 8, 1937, near Halfway to Gene and Florence Ryall. She received most of her primary and secondary schooling in or near Halfway. She graduated from high school at Brownsville in 1955.
After a period of time as a switchboard operator at the Benson Hotel in Portland, she joined the U.S. Navy where she trained as a radioman. As a member of an All Navy Talent Show, Pat toured numerous cities throughout the United States.
A highlight of the group’s tour was an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show (Kirk Douglas was standing in for Sullivan). Pat had the privilege of singing a solo of “Wayward Wind,” as well as participating in the group singing on national television.
Pat received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in December 1959. She worked for Pepsi Cola in Washington, D.C., before returning to Oregon in 1962.
Pat married Norman Thompson on Sept. 8, 1962, at the Presbyterian Church in Halfway. Their first son, Blaine, was born at Corvallis in 1964, and their second son, Clayton, was born at Bakersfield, Calif., in 1965.
Pat treasured her many friends, especially those in Gabbs, Nev., and the surrounding area. She was proud of her service in the U.S. Navy, as an EMT at Dorris, Calif., and as a member of the Baker County Fair Board. Moreover, she was proud of her family, and we are proud of her.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband, Norman, of Gabbs, Nev.; sons, Blaine of Las Vegas, Nev., and Clayton of Portland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker County Fair Board through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 15, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor