Ralph Alva Thompson

38-year inspector-millwright at Jessop Steel Ralph Alva Thompson, 75, of Washington, died at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2007, in Washington Hospital. He was born February 10, 1932, in Washington, a son of Dawn William and Tessie Ethel Wright Thompson. A 1950 graduate of Washington High School, he entered the Coast Guard in 1951, serving during the Korean conflict. He received the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged in 1955. Mr. Thompson was an inspector-millwright at Jessop Steel Corp. for 38 years. He was a member of Church of the Covenant, where he served as an usher, Sunset Lodge 623 F & AM, Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 American Legion, Pulaski Club, Arms Club and Polish Club. He enjoyed dartball, pool, reading, electronics and spending time with his family. On April 18, 1959, he married Laura Jane McMurray, who survives. Also surviving are three sons, David L. Fisher Jr. of Washington, Ralph Alan Thompson of Pittsburgh and Brian Scott Thompson of Washington; two daughters, Brenda Sue Mastro and Dawn Lynn Thompson, both of Lufkin, Texas; eight grandchildren, Brandon and Amanda Thompson, Raymond Fisher, Jade Lovell, Jamie Fisher and Lauren, Richard and Margaret Thompson; three grandchildren, Sabrina, Brandon Jr. and Nicholas Thompson; and a nephew, Ed Wagner. Deceased are five brothers, William, George, Dorsey, Edward and Don Thompson; three sisters, Ethel McCullough, Gertrude Wagner and Dorathea; and three nieces, Cheryl Ann Wagner, Donna M. Hood and Jean Thompson Helmcamp. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 9, with Randy Boyer officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens Cemetery, McMurray. Military rites will be accorded by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 American Legion. The family suggests memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, 331 S. Main Street, Washington, or Church of The Covenant, 267 East Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301.