Duane Boyd (Tom) Thompson

Duane (Tom) Thompson passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 10th, 2026, at the age of 94. He had a long and wonderful life and never failed to show his family how much he loved them through his deeds and actions. Taking care of and providing for his family always came first.

Duane was born in 1931 in Soldier, Kansas to Zara William Thompson and Nellie A. (Green) Thompson. He grew up in Barnston, Nebraska and Oketo, Kansas with 2 brothers and 1 sister.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952 not long after his father’s passing. He served aboard the USS Montrose during the Korean conflict and was discharged honorably in 1954.

After his military discharge, he first went to visit, and eventually moved to Southern California, where he was introduced to Pama Lee Srader by one of his Navy friends, (her cousin “Sonny” Ethridge). He and Pama were married in Southern California before relocating to the Bay Area in the late 1950s. They first lived in Campbell and then in San Jose, where they welcomed two sons, Michael Duane Thompson in 1958 and Scott William Thompson in 1961. In 1969, they purchased property and moved to Gilroy where they built a home, as well as a family.

While living in Gilroy he provided his family with a wonderful life in the country, complete with a variety of farm animals including ponies, horses, calves, chickens, ducks, geese, and even a donkey named “Rosebud”. He taught his sons to ride and saddle horses and care for animals of all types and how to fix fences and haul hay. The education included how to build things, and how to fix what you broke. His kids were taught how to work on and ride mini-bikes, motorcycles, trucks, tractors and dune buggies long before they could touch the ground or reach the stirrups or pedals. Both of his sons could back up a trailer confidently by age 11or12.

He was employed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale until his retirement. While his employment at Lockheed was a “White Collar” job, he obtained a commercial license and drove a commuter bus for his for his co-workers as well; a skill he made good use of driving his motor home after retirement.

After retirement he spent much of his time in San Felipe, Mexico… living in his motorhome near the beach as well as in Murietta California. He was blessed to have made many friends from around the country during this time. He entertained and was visited in Mexico many times by his sons, grandchildren, and friends while living there.

He is preceded in death by his Parents Zara Thompson and Nellie Thompson, siblings Frank Thompson, William Thompson, and Joy Roberts, his wife Pama Thompson, his companion Jan Roebuck, and a long list of friends and relatives.

He is survived by his sons Michael Thompson and Scott Thompson, (Cathy).

Grandchildren: Richard Thompson (Grace), Nicholas Thompson (Gabriela), Lucas Thompson, Carly Tavares (Tieler), and Frankie Romero.

Great grandchildren: Roxanne Thompson, Abigail Thompson, Maximo Thompson, Leon Thompson, Noah Thompson… And, of course, his Golden Retriever “Buddy”.

(Buddy’s a Good Dog.)

Services are July 10th at Habing Funeral Home at 129 4th St. in Gilroy at 2:00 PM