Gaylon Guy Thompson was the son of Donald and LaVerne (Tudy) Thompson. He was born in Yankton, South Dakota on September 20, 1955. When Gaylon was a young child, his family moved to Merced, California and eventually settled in Gilroy.

Gaylon attended St. Mary School in Gilroy, Palma High School in Salinas, and Gilroy High School, where he graduated in 1973. He went on to attend Gavilan College and the University of Oregon.

Gaylon always enjoyed working with his hands and building things. He became an accomplished carpenter and eventually owned his own construction company. He spent most of his time building homes and apartment complexes around Gilroy and Hollister. Later, he worked for Nob Hill Foods, renovating existing store locations and building new stores in Hollister and all around the South Bay Area. As a construction manager, Gaylon played a key role in building Bonfante Gardens (now Gilroy Gardens). He was particularly proud of his work on the antique car ride. He, his daughter Taryn, and the construction crew became the first passengers to ride the park's roller coaster the day construction on it was completed.

In the late 1980s, Gaylon met Kelly Burgos and her daughter, Rose. Gaylon and Kelly married and had their daughter, Taryn, in December of 1990. They settled in Hollister.

Following his career in construction, Gaylon looked for other opportunities and became an appraiser and home inspector. He enjoyed this career, but he was always looking for the next challenge, which led him to the real estate field. He obtained his associate degree, took the real estate board exam, and passed easily. He continued to work in real estate sales while living in Roseville.

Gaylon was the family property manager, overseeing properties in South Lake Tahoe, Red Bluff, and Las Vegas. He became the go-to person for communication between the family and tenants. His background in construction, maintenance, and real estate made him a natural fit for this role.

Gaylon enjoyed fishing, hunting, skiing, writing, painting, and photography. He enjoyed sports of almost every kind and was a lifelong Giants fan. As a kid, he played Little League and was known for his pitching skills.

He loved to fly and had earned his pilot's license in the 1980s. But his greatest love and greatest accomplishment was his daughter, Taryn, and his stepdaughter, Rose. These two young women became the apple of his eye. He enjoyed spending time in San Diego visiting Rose and at Lake Tahoe with Taryn. Lake Tahoe was always a special place for Gaylon, as the Thompson family spent many summers and winters there. This continued throughout his life, and Lake Tahoe eventually became his sanctuary.

Gaylon was preceded in death by his father, Donald Thompson, many aunts and uncles, and a few cousins.

He is survived by his mother, LaVerne (Tudy) Thompson, his daughters, Taryn Thompson and Rose Burgos, his siblings, Sheila Thompson, Glenda Zanger (Joe), and Eric Thompson, his nieces and nephews, Gerrod (Lea), Meggie (Josh), Elliot (Laura), Aubree, and Taylor, his great nieces, Margot, Ava, and Emery, his great nephew, Silas, his aunts, Sharon, Marge, Louise and Esther, and many cousins.

The Thompson Family will be doing a private service for Gaylon in the Fall. We appreciate all your cards and messages in the guestbook. Please write us a message or share a memory of Gaylon with us. It does bring us comfort. Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.

The Thompson Family