David "Dave" Lee Thompson

David “Dave” Lee Thompson, 87, of Marshall, was called to Heaven on March 19, 2023, with family present at his home, his favorite place, Lyon Lake.

Dave was born to Harry L. and Mabel (Peters) Thompson on April 6, 1935 in Marshall. He was a 1953 graduate of Marshall High School and attended Valparaiso University graduating in 1955. He served in the U.S Army from 1957-1959 with basic training at Fort Dix and later serving in Ulm, Germany. Dave worked for the Kellogg Company for 37 years until his retirement in 1996 in the Tank Farm as Quality Control and was part of Kellogg’s 25 year club.

Dave’s early years were devoted to being a Boy Scout and fishing. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. He spent many years in the choir at Trinity Episcopal Church and later at Lyon Lake Methodist Church. Dave was a long-time member of the Marshall Exchange Club and of the Lyon Lake Methodist Church. He was an avid golfer and was proud of his hole in one at the Quincy Golf Course in 2000 at the age of 65. He was a faithful Detroit Tigers fan, never having missed a game. Dave was never happier than when he was following his son Jeff in his fast pitch softball career with Bernie and Mike’s of Homer, especially when the team won the National Championship in 1994. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and all their endeavors including robotics, softball, cheerleading, football, dance, track, band, and choir.

In October 1960, he met the love of his life, Jo Ann Murray. They married on March 18th, 1962, having just celebrated 62 wonderful years together. They have many memories together with one of their favorites being a trip to Hawaii in 1999.

Dave is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; daughter, Jennifer (Tim) Kidder; son, Jeffery “JT” (Shelley) Thompson; six grandchildren, Kelly Collins, Kristy (Gerrit) Arens, Kyle (Chani) Collins, Tanner (Liza) Thompson, Sergeant Drake Thompson, and Savanna (Daniel “Wink” McDonald) Thompson; four great grandchildren, Chloe Collins, Austin Arens, Ava Jo Thompson, and Idris Collins; sister, Judith A Kidder.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068 on April 1, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:30am. A memorial service will take place at the funeral home immediately following the visitation at 11:30am. Following the service, a reception will be held at the funeral home. 

The family requests that you please wear bright colors in Dave's honor for the memorial service.

Burial will take place at a later date at Lyon Lake Cemetery in Fredonia Twp, Michigan.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, are greatly appreciated and suggested to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.com/donate or Freedom Service Dogs of America at www.freedomservicedogs.org/donatefsd/.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.