Obituary: THOMPSON, ALMA

Alma Evan ThompsonDec. 30, 1917 ~ July 28, 2012Alma Evan Thompson, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully at home on July 28, 2012 with the love of his life by his side. Alma was born December 30, 1917 to William Leslie and Eva Merinda Stephenson Thompson in Scipio, Utah. He was the fifth of eight children. He married Aldena Andrews December 16, 1937 in the Manti temple and together they had four children. They have been a true example of pure love for 75 years.Alma was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many leadership positions and was a faithful home teacher until the time of his death.Alma held various jobs throughout his life including his work for the US Forest Service, Orem City, working with his brother at Thompson Turkey Ranch, welding in the shipyards during World War II, baker in the Alameda Food Shop, and he finished his working career with 27 years as a rancher at Willow Bend Ranch. During Al's time as a rancher, he was awarded Rancher of the Year and the Heirloom Cowboy Heritage Award. He was also President of the Sevier County Cattleman's Association. His family remembers him best driving a tractor or riding a horse during his time on the ranch. Following retirement, Alma and Aldena moved to Pleasant Grove, UT and later to Nephi, UT. They have spent the past four years at the Seville Retirement Residence in Orem, UT where they have made many wonderful friends. During retirement, Al enjoyed working on many projects including making children's bouncing horses, antique horse collar mirrors, wishing wells, and a horse drawn buckboard wagon with seats. He had a love for antique cars and won many awards for his 1920 Studebaker. He always kept a beautiful yard and earned the "Yard of the Week" award in his Pleasant Grove home. He took great pride in his work and mastered to perfection any task he began. Alma will always be remembered for his amazing quick wit, jokes, songs, and endless humor. He possessed the unique ability to put a smile on our faces no matter the circumstances. He had a deep love for his family and friends, and was an amazing example of service and integrity to us all. He has been a hero to his children and grandchildren and he will be greatly missed. Al is survived by his wife, Aldena and their four children: Janice (Reed) Rawlings, Bill (Colette) Thompson, Loreen Thompson, Valerie (Stan) Glazner; one brother Paul (Marba) Thompson, 23 grandchildren, and 48 great grandchildren.He is preceded in death by his parents and six siblings: Homer, Dan, Rose, Elaine, Joy, and Edith. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sundberg Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State St, Orem, UT. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Family and friends may call Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Sundberg Olpin Mortuary 495 S. State St., Orem. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the Seville Retirement Residence and Sunrise Hospice, especially Merrilee Hiatt and Leah Pulver for their tender loving care. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SundbergOlpinMortuary.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Humanitarian Fund.