Irvin Dale Thompson

Irvin Dale “Tom” Thompson, 64, of Washington, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Monday, January 19, 2015, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on April 11, 1950, in Washington, a son of the late Irvin Paul Thompson and Pearl Edgell Thompson McKinney. A graduate of Trinity High School, he also graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, with an Airframe and Power License. He was a member of the Washington Alliance Church. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Thompson completed three tours in Vietnam. He served for 20 years in the U.S. Army, where he had been a Helicopter Mechanic and Master Paratrooper. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Bronze Star, The Silver Star, Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Basic Recruiter Badge (One Gold Achievement Star), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm, Sharpshooter Badge (.38 Caliber Pistol), 2 Overseas Bars, Expert Badge (Rifle M16), Air Medal (18th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), Aircraft Crewman Badge, Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge, and Master Aircraft Crewman Badge. Following his retirement as a Staff Sergeant in the military, he worked at Air Charter Service, Inc., for fifteen years, and most recently at Pennatronics for five years. He was a member of the 1SG Leonard A. Funk Medal of Honor Western PA Chapter, of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, where he had been Chairman for four years, and had worked extensively on the 2012 National Convention of the 82nd Airborne Division, in Pittsburgh. He was also a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. On June 30, 1988, he married Susanne Badura, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Carl Thompson, of Washington, and Thomas J. (Christie) Thompson, of Fayetteville, NC; two daughters, Carol Ann Boatman, and Terri Lynn (Larry) DeGeest, both of Fayetteville, NC; a step brother, Richard McKinney, of IN; eight grandchildren, Ciara, Caroline, Royce, Brian, Sienna, Ashley, Mason, and Jonathon, and his step parents, Carl and Norma McKinney. Friends will be received on Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Thursday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2015. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Military Rites will be accorded graveside by the Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.