Claude "Tommy" Wilbur Thompson

Claude Wilbur Thompson (Tommy) age 93, passed away Monday, January 11, 2021.

Tommy was born November 12, 1927 to Claude Ralph and Eula Fern (Furgason) Thompson in Amorita, Oklahoma. He graduated from Derby High School in Derby, Kansas in 1945. He enlisted in the United States Navy on April 19, 1945 just before he graduated. He was 17 years old, basic training was at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. Tommy served our country for two and a half years. He was assigned duty at the United States Naval Air Station Dallas located in Grand Prairie, Texas and the Naval Air Station Ottumwa located in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was honorably discharged October 4, 1947 where he received a World War II Victory Medal.

After being discharged from the United States Navy he worked various jobs until he became employed by Standard Oil as a transport driver. He lived in Iowa City, and later moved to Agency, Iowa to operate the Standard Oil station and deliver fuel to farm customers. In 1972 he acquired the Standard Oil accounts in Ottumwa, Iowa. He retired from Standard Oil/Amoco (now BP) in 1977.

While stationed in Ottumwa, Iowa he met and married Betty Eyre. They later divorced. During this union they had two children, Steven Curt and Nancy Lynn. On April 15, 1977 Tommy married Bernice (Copeland) Clarridge in Unionville, Missouri at the First Methodist Church at 12pm as the noon bells rang.

In 1977 Tommy and Bernice moved to Grand Prairie, Texas with 2 children. There he was employed by Army Air force Exchange Service where he then retired in 1989.  After retirement in 1992 they moved to Ottumwa, Iowa.

Tommy is proceeded in death by his parents Claude and Eula Thompson, Michel Clarridge, Steven Thompson and Cyndra Clarridge Templeton. He is survived by wife Bernice, children Nancy Thompson, Hal, Mark and Christina Clarridge, 19 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Behner Funeral Home

Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Gabriel Claussen officiating.  Burial with Military Honors will be at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Parkview Care Center or Alzheimer’s Association and mailed to Bernice Thompson, 3300 West Van Buren, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Online condolences may be made to the family at behnerfh.com.