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THOMPSON -- Owen Locke Lear "Tommy" Thompson, age 79, passed away peacefully in the hospital on June 19, 2007, after suffering an accident. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Frances Starnes Thompson, and two brothers, Otto A. Thompson and William O. Thompson of Monroeville, AL. He is survived by his son, Blake A. Thompson of Albuquerque and Denver, CO; and his dear nephew and nieces, Otto A. Thompson, Jr., of Tokyo, Japan, Sally Misner, of Cottonwood Heights, UT, and Vicki Broadus-Owens, of Monroeville, AL; and extended family. Tommy, or Locke as he was known in his hometown, grew up during the Depression in a financially-strapped but loving home, working a variety of jobs to help out. He joined the military upon his eighteenth birthday in 1946, serving in the occupation forces in Japan. He left the army and attended Troy State University in Alabama before being called back to active duty at the start of the Korean War. Through success in aptitude testing and training programs, Tommy advanced through the enlisted ranks to become a Special Agent of Military Intelligence and earn an officer's commission. He served in Korea and Vietnam, and commanded the Military Intelligence units in New York and Vermont before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. Tommy met Fran in Albuquerque in 1952, where she worked for the Dept. of Defense. They married a couple of years later and their son, Blake was born in 1961. After Tommy retired from the military, they moved to Albuquerque, their adopted home. Tommy began working in real estate, specializing in vacant land, and built his company, Tommy Thompson Realty, developing a reputation for honesty and integrity, values that governed his entire life. Tommy was also active in the ballooning community, working as a crew chief for numerous pilots and serving on the board of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for many years. Tommy never considered fully retiring, remaining active in his business through his final day. He loved meeting new people, had countless friends and acquaintances, and he always looked for ways to help others. His good cheer, generosity, supportive nature, and great compassion will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. A Memorial Service for the deceased will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at Asbury Methodist Church, 10000 Candelaria NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112, (505) 299-0643. The family requests that those wishing to send a memorial make a donation to the American Cancer Association or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America in lieu of flowers. Arrangements and Services are under the care and direction of: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
        Published on: Sat June 23, 2007