"Ralph and his family were a wonderful part of our families associations when they lived in Selah. Ralph and Pat were always a great example to our family. He will truly be missed. Our love and prayers go out to his children and Grandchildren. May the Lord bless and comfort you at this time."
In loving memory of
Ralph Maughan Thompson
March 19, 1927 - February 17, 2016
Ralph Maughan Thompson was born on March 19, 1927 to James Vincent Thompson and Bessie Pearl Maughan Thompson in Park City, Utah, when Park City was a mining town (not a ski resort). He had four brothers Jim, Paul, Richard and Heber, each preceding him in death, they each being the stock of strong Mormon pioneers. He was raised in Park City and Salt Lake City, graduating from South High School in 1944 as his parents and Heber were moving to Richland, WA where his father got a job as an electrician at the new nuclear facility at Hanford, WA. As soon as he turned 18, March 1945, he immediately went Seattle to enlist in the Navy to serve during World War II. He went to San Diego for boot camp and the boarded the battleship New Jersey for Hawaii. From Hawaii he shipped out, heading for the Philippines. A few days out the war thankfully ended on August 15, 1945-V-J Day. He was dropped off on Guam where he remained for about a year as a jeep and truck driver and mechanic. He was discharged in August 1946 at Bremerton, WA.
The next month after being discharged from the Navy, he began his education at Washington State College (now WSU), majoring in mechanical engineering, with a few art course thrown in. In fall 1947 he moved to Logan, UT to attend Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State) and live with his grandmother (Ragna Jemaima) Maughan (his grandfather Heber Chase Maughan passed away in 1944). At UA he changed his major to art, where he met Patricia Ann Tschanz, who was also an art major. They fell in love and were married on September 4, 1948 in Mackay, ID (Pat's home town), then immediately moved to Seattle, WA where he attend the University of Washington as an art major for three years. Their oldest son David was born while they lived in Kirkland, across the lake from the university. He obtained a secondary teaching certificate in spring 1951 and took a job teaching for the Yakima (WA) School District in August 1951, teaching art and coaching football, basketball and track at Franklin Junior High. After 17 years at Franklin he moved to Davis (Yakima) High School and continued teaching tracking and coaching bowling. In Yakima they had four more children Debra (passed 2012), Valerie, Mathew and Nathan. They moved from Yakima to Selah in fall 1963.
In 2007 his beloved Pat passed away, creating a huge void in his life. He moved to Bothell, WA in December 2013 to be close to three of his four remaining children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Last few months of his life he lived at Sunrise of Bothell Retirement Community where they loved and treated him wonderfully.
Ralph was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Yakima and Selah and spent countless hours in service to the Lord. He virtually never missed attending Sunday services; the Sunday before he passed, being in the hospital, was the first time he missed in years.
He passed away on February 17, 2016 in Kirkland, WA (Gene & Irene Wockner Hospice Center) and is now on the other side (to day shalt thou be with me in paradise) united again with his wife Patricia, daughter Debra, parents, brothers and other loved ones. He had great faith that families can be together forever. He is survived by his sons and daughter, David (Maudjean), Valerie (Joe), Mathew (Lori) and Nathan (Michelle), 19 grandchildren, and 37 great grandchildren, who will miss him dearly.
Tributes
"I graduated Davis in 1973, and remember Ralph teaching at Davis at that time; when went to YVCC, and worked as a secretary at the Yakima LDS Institute of Religion, I met Debbie & Val, and enjoyed their friendship. I came to work at the City of Yakima in 1999, and became a co-worker of Nathan, who now is a wonderful part of our family (Michele is my daughter!). Our lives have been interwoven for over 40 years, and my family enjoyed having Ralph a part of some of our family get-togethers at my parents home in East Selah. We loved his stories; we miss, and shall continue to miss his company; till me meet again, Ralph!"
"Ralph is the great man who baptized me when I was 10-years-old when my mother decided it was time to return to church. The Thompson family were so wonderful to us. We shared Family Home Evenings with them and many other memorable times. Ralph was top-notch, one-of-a-kind. I loved him very much. I smile imagining him now, with Pat. Love to the whole Thompson family! "
"I met Mr. Thompson in 1980 he was a wonderful teacher. Very interested in the kids n when i had a problem he helped me thru it. Great listener. Davis grad 1981. Mr. Thompson was my favorite n he signed my year book. God bless."
"I first met Ralph when he came to live with Dave and Maudjean. He always had a smile on his face. He brightened my day each Sunday as I walked into church...he would smile, say hello, and make sure he grabbed my hand to shake it before handing me a bulletin. I could count on seeing him every Sunday to brighten my day just a little bit more! It was very sad to see him missing from his spot last Sunday to give me a kind hello and smile and grab my hand and shake it. He will be missed but I can imagine his happy reunion on the other side with his wife and other family members."
"I can recall a time when Great- Grandpa Thompson came and visited our family in Yuma, Arizona. It had been a fairly long time since I'd seen him last, and I was glad to meet up with him. He asked about my interests, and I told him I enjoyed drawing and painting. He then asked me if I had any artwork to show him. I brought out an old sketchbook, and he looked through at some of my sketches. I very much appreciated his tips and recommendations, which have helped me become a better artist."
"I didn't really spend much time with him, but I enjoy watching videos of us making apple cider. I will miss him dearly."
"My fondest memory of great grandpa Ralph was spending time at his orchard picking apples to make cider. He will be missed."
"I had known Grandpa Thompson for more than half of my life, and I'm so thankful that I got the chance to know him. My favorite thing about Grandpa was his genuine interest in our children and their education. I loved to hear him asking each of our kids about what they were studying in school. I know how important school was to him, and for that, I'll be forever grateful. I love you Grandpa!"
"I have many fond memories of my grandpa. None of them involve him sitting around. My fondest memory, if I had to choose, is making apple cider with family. I am especially grateful I was able to take my family to make cider with grandpa's cider press a couple of times. I am so proud to be a Thompson and I'll always be grateful for the example of hardwork he set for me. Families can be together forever. "
"I loved when he would tell stories about his past, they were always so fascinating!"
"I liked when he came to my baptism.So I remember him every day when I wake up.I love him!!"
"I have known Ralph, my father-in-law, since 1967. We have enjoyed a long friendship. While he lived with us the past two years we were able to return just a tiny portion of the service he gave us all these years. He was one of the hardest workers I have known. And he loved every member of his family dearly. He will be missed."
"With heartfelt sympathy, Evergreen Washelli"