Eldon Thompson
Eldon K Thompson, 87, died March 25, 2010, at Dayton General Hospital.
Eldon was born in Goldendale March 18, 1923, to Floyd and Mary Thompson, the third of six children. He attended area schools and grew up working on the family farm northwest of Goldendale.
During the Second World War, Eldon served in the U.S. Army in the Southwest Pacific as part of the 41st Infantry division seeing service in the Philippine Islands. After the war ended in 1945, Eldon served with the 800th MP Battalion during the occupation of Japan.
After his discharge from the Army in 1946, Eldon returned to the Goldendale area and worked in various construction and logging-related jobs, eventually starting his own logging operation, which included a sawmill as well. In 1948, Eldon married Louise McKinney and they made their home in Goldendale. In 1957, they moved to Dayton, where Eldon continued operating his logging and sawmill company. In 1971, Eldon designed a portable sawmill which could be easily transported and operated by only a small crew. He was granted a patent for his design. Eldon operated his logging business until his retirement in 1987.
Eldon loved the outdoors and appreciated the great beauty of nature. He also was an avid woodworker, building many clocks, tables, and chairs for his friends and relatives. He had a natural talent for gardening and enjoyed working in his yard. Eldon never tired of learning new things and he had an enthusiasm for work and life which was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Eldon is survived by his four children: Janeen Thompson of Greenacres; Diana McNamara and husband Jim of Walla Walla; Gary Thompson and his wife Anita of Goldendale; and Lori Barton and husband Randy of Dayton. His wife of 52 years, Louise, preceded him in death in 2000.
A service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 3, at the Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel in Goldendale. Hubbard-Rogg Funeral Home of Dayton is assisting the family with arrangements.
