Garry F. Thompson

Garry Franklin Thompson was called home on August 4, 2026, at the age of 83. He was born on November 14, 1942, in Galesburg, Illinois, to Hank and Margaret Thompson. He grew up in Galesburg and attended Galesburg Senior High School, where he served as president of both the band and the Spanish Club. During his adolescence, he was actively involved at Trinity Lutheran Church, laying the foundation for a lifelong faith that would guide his path and shape the lives of countless others.

In 1965, Garry fell in love with Marion Doty. They married on December 3, 1966, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned nearly 60 years.

Garry proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. He later graduated from Clearwater Christian College, where he was elected vice president of the student body during his junior year and president during his senior year. He continued his education at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Answering a call to ministry, Garry served as a pastor for more than 35 years in both fulltime and part-time roles throughout Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois. His care for others also led him to complete Clinical Pastoral Training and serve as a hospital chaplain, offering comfort and spiritual support to patients and their families.

Even in retirement, Garry's heart for service carried him far beyond his local community. Through Worldwide Lab Improvement, he combined his pastoral gifts and medical knowledge to serve overseas, helping establish medical laboratories in mission hospitals and clinics. This work reflected what mattered most to him: caring for vulnerable people in practical and meaningful ways while sharing the love of Christ.

A gifted theologian and musician, Garry was also known for his wonderful sense of humor. His love for Jesus and for people guided every decision he made. He had a remarkable way of making each person he encountered feel seen and valued, and he lived with a genuine desire to serve rather than be served. His steadfast faith and devotion to the Lord inspired all who knew him and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Garry was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Judith Randolph; his cherished mother, Margaret Davidson; his father, Hank Thompson; and his dedicated stepfather, Mike Davidson.

He leaves to carry on his legacy his devoted wife of 59 years, Marion; his three sons, Tom (Tiffany), Nathan (Julie), and Micah (Aixvy) Thompson; his ten grandchildren, Romain (Christina) Sato, Amhed Thompson, Nicole (Sam) Ford, Madeson (Neal) Sebastian, Brooks (Brooke) Thompson, Joel Thompson, Noah (Bree) Thompson, Molly Thompson, Meagan Thompson, and Peyton Thompson; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life honoring Garry and the extraordinary life he lived will be held at the Community Mausoleum Chapel at David's Cemetery on October 29, 2026. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the service beginning immediately afterward at 3:00 p.m.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the caring and loving staff of Centerville Post Acute and Day City Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Worldwide Laboratory Improvement, an organization through which Garry so faithfully served: Worldwide Lab Improvement, Inc., 321 Duncan St., Schoolcraft, MI 49087

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