Our great friend, Helen Miks Thompson, passed away at her home June 20, 1998.

She was born February 23, 1915 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and educated in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and attended Hunter College in New York.Helen joined the SPARS, the Coast Guard women's reserve in 1942 and served until 1945. She married golf and Jimmy E. Thompson September 2, 1945. She admired Jimmy and was supportive of him in every way. Their lives together took them to Shawnee Country Club in Shawnee, Oklahoma where Helen oversaw all clubhouse operations. From there she traveled with Jimmy on the PGA tour. While Jimmy worked at Lakewood Country Club, Helen worked as a field supervisor for Lloyd Whaley Construction Company in Long Beach, California. From 1949 until 1952 they resided in Provo, Utah, where they worked side by side at Timpanogos Golf Course. In 1952, Helen assisted with the entries and first tee duties while Jimmy played the PGA tour full time.

Helen and Jimmy returned to California and spent the next 20 years at Stockdale Country Club, Rancho Park Golf Course, Valencia Golf Course, and Los Coyotes Country Club. In 1973, they moved to American Fork, Utah, where Helen donated 12 years overseeing the daily operations and success of Tri City Golf Course. From 1985 until her death, Helen enjoyed flowers, friends, and the company of her devoted husband.

Helen was extremely loyal and expected that of others. Anyone who worked for Jimmy was adopted by Helen as one of her own, remembered by her at birthdays and special occasions. She had smart business sense and was meticulous in her accounting work as well as her home and yard. She was considerate of others, had a strong opinion and was usually right. We will miss her generosity, patriotism, insightfulness, and willful tenacity for life.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Utah Junior Golf program. At Helen's request, no service will be held. Instead, a celebration honoring her life will be held Friday, June 26, 1998 from 6-8 p.m. at the Thompson residence, 363 North 100 East, American Fork.

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