JOEL SCOTT THOMPSON

Joel Scott Thompson

On November 18, 2016 Joel Scott Thompson passed away in Valley Medical Center, Renton, WA at the young age of 75. He had been living with CMML Leukemia for several years.

Joel is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dianne, and 4 children, Bret Thompson of Ormond Beach, FL, Christi Huntley of Auburn, WA, Scott Thompson of Lewisville, TX, and Kelly Stouffer of Covington, WA; 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Dale Thompson of Packwood, WA, and Gene Thompson, of Kansas City, MO; 2 sisters, Connie Jackson (predeceased), and Julie Oyster of Cle Elum, WA; also extended family living in Illinois.

Joel was born in DeKalb, IL to Evelyn Claybourn and Charles Fayette Thompson. He joined the U.S. Navy right out of high school and went into the submarine force where he helped commission the USS Andrew Jackson SSBN-619 in 1962. After marrying Dianne, having 4 children, often being deployed at sea, he had duty teaching school at the Naval Base in Key West, FL. Joel was an avid fisherman and scuba diver, always bringing home lobsters. He was very athletic and played basketball, football, and fast-pitch softball. Some of his ashes will be spread on the ocean in Key West, his favorite place.

After retiring from the navy in 1977 Joel and his family moved to Kent, WA where he went to work as a marine electrician.In 2000 he retired from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He had several interesting jobs, not the least was working in Dutch Harbor, AK where he became acquainted with several men from the television show, “Deadliest Catch”.

Joel’s life always included fishing. Consequently, he began fly fishing in Eastern Washington with a few trips to Mexico for dorado. He had a lot of stories to tell about his fishing and boating experiences many of which included his wife and children and grandchildren. As for hunting, he said he was the greatest hunter ever. Hunter not catcher!

Joel was a wonderful husband who dearly loved his wife, his children and their children. He revered God and knew he would be going to Heaven to especially be with his mother and grandfather. He was a true friend to many, a guy you could count on. He will be greatly missed by all. Look for him….he’ll be with Jesus!

Interment at Tahoma National Cemetery then Memorial Service at Grace Community Church in Auburn, WA

Memorial donations ​may be made ​to Fred Hutchison special account: http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/goto/JoelThompson