Lyle Dean Thompson

Lyle Dean Thompson was called home to his wife on Monday, April 8, 2024. He was 90 years old. Lyle was born to Loretta and Ervin Thompson on August 16, 1933, in Onawa, Iowa. Lyle’s incredible work ethic and love of mechanics started as early as 10 helping at his neighbor’s repair garage in Onawa. After their father passed away, young 11-year-old Lyle, along with his older brother Jay, started working on nearby farms for 50 cents an hour to help their mother. Five short years later, Lyle joined the Army at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. He was only 16 but lied about his age to enlist and was sent to Europe where he would run lines to the Forward Observers' Posts, and a 2nd Lieutenant would take over, calling the shots in. After leaving the service, Lyle utilized his G.I. Bill to attend Gila Junior College (now EAC) where he studied auto mechanics while working at an auto shop. His teachers praised him for how well he was able to explain things to other students and that led him to change his career path to become a teacher. He attended ASC-Flagstaff (now NAU). He worked nights at a sawmill, took classes during the days, and met the love of his life, Mina Thompson. They married in 1955 in a small LDS Church across from campus and by 1956 each held B.A. degrees and they welcomed their first child, Lon. Lyle’s first job started in 1957 as an Auto Mechanics teacher in Globe. Lyle quickly became the favorite shop teacher and a father figure to many students. They welcomed their second boy, Dean, third boy, Bart, and their youngest and only girl, Lori. Lyle and Mina purchased their home by the Polar Ice Plant on Jess Hayes Road in 1966, then in 1972 purchased the Polar Ice Plant and successfully ran it with their three sons for 10 years. Early each morning, he’d take 300-pound blocks of ice over, cut them into 100-pound blocks and drop them off at fourteen locations all before heading to teach. In 1968, Lyle returned to Flagstaff to get his Master’s in Guidance Counseling. He worked at the sawmill again, running the night shift. Lyle taught for 38 years, retiring in 1989 at the age of 60 but went back to substitute teach for three more years. “I woke up every morning wanting to go to work,” he said. He only missed a day and a half in all those years. He told kids, “Get a job you like. You might not make as much money, but you’ll live longer and be happier.” Lyle lived an amazing life with fond memories with his many friends and family and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cheering on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed his morning walks with his dogs. Mr. Thompson, as many in the community know him, will be truly missed. He was able to shape the minds of many students and those lessons plus so much more wisdom also passed on to his children and grandchildren. Lyle and Mina celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in 2022. What an amazing and full life they lived together. They are cherished by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They each played such an important part in their family’s upbringing with fond memories of amazing trips together, attending sports games, hunting, fishing, graduations and weddings. They are the epitome of love, setting an amazing example of what marriage should be and how to support those you care about. Through loss and love, these two stood by each other and created an incredible life. Lyle is welcomed to heaven by his wife, Mina, of 67 years, his father, Ervin Thompson, mother, Loretta, and stepfather, Conrad Johnson, brother, Jay Thompson, embraced by his three sons, Lon, Dean, and Bart, and his grandsons, David and Nick Thompson. He is survived by his daughter, Lori, seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe located at 328 S. Hill St., Globe, AZ. (928) 425-5491