SEYMOUR
Leo A. Thompson, 88, of Seymour, passed away at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, at Columbus Regional Health.
Born July 21, 1928, in Seymour, he was the son of Ralph M. and Susie Quinn Thompson, both of whom preceded him in death. On June 4, 1950, he married Alberta L. Sandefur, who survives.
Leo graduated from Seymour High School in 1946 and immediately started working construction with his father and uncle. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Navy Seabees and was stationed in California, Cuba, Rhode Island and Newfoundland.
Upon returning to Seymour, he worked with various construction companies — building schools and churches. In 1994, he retired from Force Construction Co. Inc. in Columbus. He was a 70-year member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America.
He and his wife, Alberta, were very involved with the International Order of Rainbow for Girls in Indiana and traveled all over the country attending their meetings. He was affectionately known as “Pop Thompson” by all the girls. He had previously served as the chairman of the Indiana Rainbow Girls Foundation and was in charge of the care and maintenance of their property in Edinburgh.
Leo was a 54-year member of Jackson Lodge 146, Free & Accepted Masons; the Scottish Rite of the Valley of Indianapolis; Seymour chapter 134, Order of Eastern Star; the Seymour Grand Cross of Color; and had received the DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was a member of the American Legion, was awarded the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and had received the Order of the Arrow with the Boy Scouts.
Leo was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Seymour and had often served with the trustees, overseeing their building, parsonage and property.
Others survivors besides his wife include their two children, Vicki (Steve) Otto and Dale (Edie) Thompson; grandchildren, Michael Thompson, Amanda Thompson, and Matthew (Sara) Thompson; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Madison, Shayla and Alexys Thompson; sister, Helen Sipes Lutes; aunt, Evelyn Wieneke; sisters-in-law, Lucille Thompson and Shirley Sandefur; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandchild, Katherine “Kati” Otto; brother, Allen Thompson; brothers-in-law, Roy Sandefur and Robert “Max” Sandefur; and uncles and aunts, Earl (Golda) Thompson, Homer (Oma) Thompson, Louis Richard Thompson, Ruby (Russell) Guinn, Ruth (Archie) Boggs, Rachel (Kenneth) Findley, Earl Wieneke and Omer “Bud” (Mabel) Quinn.
A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Voss & Sons Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Seaney officiating. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery with full military graveside rites conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled Veterans 47, Korean and Vietnam Veterans, all of Seymour.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and from noon until time of service Saturday at the funeral home.
Masonic services will be at 6 p.m. Friday.
Memorials may be given to the Indiana Rainbow Girls Foundation or Trinity United Methodist Church Improvement Fund.