Mitchell S. Thompson
Mitchell Thompson loved his family and worked hard in a variety of professions to ensure they had the opportunities a husband and father wants for his family.
Mitchell Thompson served his country as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. He later used his piloting skills professionally to fight fires.
Mitchell S. Thompson, 77, of Moses Lake, Wash., passed away Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Van Nuys, Calif., in 1947 to Robert Thompson and Virginia (Clyde) who raised three sons in Baldwin Park, Calif., where they owned and managed a small cactus nursery and Robert worked for Hormel Foods as a truck driver.
After graduating from high school and completing one year of community college, Mitch travelled to Jackson, Wyo., where he stayed and worked as a whitewater river guide, fishing guide and carpenter.
In 1969, Mitch completed U.S. Army Helicopter School training at Fort Walters, Texas, serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a helicopter pilot, Chief Warrant Officer, in Vietnam through 1971. Following his military service, he worked as a commercial helicopter pilot in Arizona and Northern California. He returned to Wyoming in 1974 to work as a fishing and hunting guide, and owner of a whitewater rafting company. There he met Karen, and they married in 1982 and started a family together. He often said, "It was the best decision I ever made."
Mitch resumed his aviation career in 1980, flying helicopters throughout the Rocky Mountain west, in Alaska and Florida on government firefighting contracts, oil exploration contracts, search and rescues, medical transports and filmmaking for news coverage, commercials and movies. There are enough stories from this time to fill a book.
In order to establish a more stable lifestyle for his growing family, Mitch owned and operated a photography and retail camera store for five years in Helena, Mont. He began working for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1993 at recreation sites on Cascade Reservoir in Idaho, and Scooteney Reservoir in central Washington state. He later moved to the Lands Division of the USBR office in Ephrata, Wash., where he especially enjoyed working out in the field and the opportunity to work on projects with students from Job Corp.
Mitch is survived by his wife Karen of 42 years, his brother Robert Thompson of Springfield, Mo.; children Spencer of Bozeman, Mont.; Tristan (Kylie) of Kellogg, Idaho; Brendan (Amy) of Moses Lake; Maryssa (Nick) of Bangor, Wales, U.K.; Ryan (Stasia) of Spokane, Wash., and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Virginia Thompson, and his younger brother, Paul Thompson.
A Visitation will be held for family and friends Thursday, Nov. 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel, 831 S. Pioneer Way Moses Lake. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 200 N. Dale Road, Moses Lake, beginning at 10 a.m. with a prayer of the rosary, then at 10:30 a.m. The Liturgy of the Word. Graveside services will follow at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, 14403 Road 2 NE, Moses Lake. Immediately after, the family invites friends to join them for a celebration of life reception at 1 p.m. in Our Lady of Fatima, Center, 200 N. Dale Road, Moses Lake.
Mitchell Thompson served his country as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. He later used his piloting skills professionally to fight fires.
