February 15, 1941 - January 20, 2017
Lawrence Earl Thompson, 75, of Spokane, Washington passed away peacefully on January 20, 2017 after a valiant battle with Picks Disease. Larry was born on February 15, 1941 in Spokane, the only child of Clarence Taylor and Lela Mae (Shaw) Thompson. He attended Central Valley High School and upon graduation in 1959 attended Eastern Washington University to play football before leaving school to serve in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He returned to school and graduated from Washington State University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and soon after earned his Master of Arts and Teaching from Whitworth University. Larry began his teaching and coaching career in Sacramento, CA and soon returned to Spokane to teach history and coach football, eventually serving as vice principal at Lewis and Clark and North Central High Schools. While working summers in construction with his brother-in law and father in-law an opportunity arose to become partners and a lifelong career change ensued. The legacy of Steblaj-Thompson Construction and Larry Thompson Builder homes can still be seen today. Larry enjoyed many of the simple pleasures in life such as coaching and attending his sons sporting events, snow/waterskiing, and golf. But most of all, he enjoyed tinkering at the family cabin at Priest Lake and spending time with family and friends. His parents Clarence and Lela Thompson preceded him in death. He is survived by his college sweetheart and loving wife of 51 years, JoAnne (Steblaj) Thompson; his two sons, Jim (Leslie) and Josh (Brooke) Thompson along with three grandsons Nicos, Noah and Tayvin all of whom he adored and loved immensely. A celebration of Larry's life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spokane followed by a reception at Mirabeau Park Hotel. Our family would like to thank the wonderful, caring and compassionate staff of Alderwood Manor for their dedicated care of Larry. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made in Larry's name to the Pink Shamrock Foundation or Priest Lake Memory Gardens.
