Michael Edward 'Mike' Thompson, 64

Michael Edward "Mike" Thompson, 64, died peacefully, Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in Kalispell, under the loving care of his wife, Gail Thompson, assisted by Home Options Hospice. He was born in Eureka, Calif., Aug. 22, 1942, to Ralph and Frances Thompson. Mike spent the first 26 years of his life in Eureka where he attended Eureka High School.

He was a celebrated quarterback for the football team as he led them to four consecutive titles. He attended college in Redding, Calif., before returning to Eureka to start in business.

Over the years Mike started several businesses in California, Oregon, and Colorado, before moving to the Flathead Valley in 1983 to open a couple of businesses that still support our local community. Mike had a genuine love of life and was a true friend and compassionate employer.

Mike was an avid sportsman throughout his life as he continued to enjoy football, golfing, boating, skiing, dirt biking, and car racing. A true delight of Mike's life was to support his stepdaughter, Tiffani Wilson, in her high school basketball career playing for the Bravettes. He also enjoyed special times spent with his daughter, Tiffany Thompson, as she pursued music, playing the cello at Flathead High, and later developing her skills with the guitar as she now writes songs and sings for family enjoyment.

We are so very grateful that Mike was able to enjoy the birth of his granddaughter, LilliAna Rose Mollenkopf, for it was observed, "I don't think I've ever seen my dad as happy as when he was holding her."

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Frances Thompson; his maternal grandparents, Frank and Nae Pidgeon Dunn; paternal grandparents, Ike and Nellie Thompson; and a granddaughter, Ellie Suzanne Serio.

Mike is survived by his wife, Gail Wilson Thompson, at their family home in Kalispell; stepson, Travis Wilson, of Salt Lake City, Utah; stepdaughter, Tiffani Wilson, of Pocatello, Idaho; four daughters, Nicole Thompson, Katrina Thompson-Mollenkopf, and Jesse, all of Kalispell, and Tiffany Thompson-Serio and Jeff of Lake Worth, Fla.; one granddaughter, LilliAna Rose Mollenkopf of Kalispell; his grandfather, Frank Pidgeon of Scotia, Calif.; one sister and brother-in-law, Michele and Norman Garrett of Clarkston, Wash.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A non-denominational celebration of Mike's life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 26, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be on Monday from 9 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop Ste. 100, Kalispell.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Michael's family.