It is with great sadness that the Thompson Family announces the death of their beloved father/spouse, Larry Thompson, at age 65, from renal failure. He died with family at his side on January 11, 2012, at his home in Pahoa, Hawaii.

At his request, no service will be held.

Larry was born April 9, 1946, in Waco, Texas, but raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, by his mother, Geneva (Thompson) Johnson, and his step father, Ulysses Johnson. His biological father, Joseph Peterson, died in military service shortly after World War II. After high school, Larry attended Oklahoma State University Technical Institute and later the Federal Aviation Administration Electronics Academy where he received a certificate in Astro Navigation Systems/Computer Repair. His intelligence and talent was quickly realized by the United States Military where he was employed as a civilian maintaining and repairing radar detection equipment at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He would later work in a variety of technology fields as an entrepreneur and as an employee for the IBM Corporation. For many years he performed as a professional saxophonist with a variety of bands and also worked as a broadcast engineer.

In 1972, Larry relocated to Fresno, California, where he would meet his true love and life long partner, Valerie Thompson. They were married on April 24,1974, and remained devoted to each other until Larry's death. Larry and Valerie had seven children as a result of their union, bringing the number of children to nine with Larry's eldest children, David and Omar Thompson. In 1993, Larry's love of cool weather, the ocean, and desire to raise his children in a safe environment, led him to move to Cambria, California and ultimately the nearby town of Los Osos, California, where he lived and raised his children for many years. In 2006, a number of family members relocated to the Big Island of Hawaii. Desiring to maintain the close bond between his youngest daughter, Aliyah, who has a developmental disability, and his eldest daughters, Ayisha and Aria, Larry happily joined them and remained in Hawaii until his death.

The greatest and most valued moment of his life, was his dedication and baptism as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1975. Larry continued to serve his heavenly father, Jehovah, faithfully until his death as a member of the Pahoa Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. If you spent anytime with him, you would know he was thoroughly convinced of the words found at Luke 23:43 and Revelation 21:3,4, that mankind would very soon live forever in a “paradise” and that God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” Jehovah God further promises that he will resurrect dead ones (Acts 24:15) to life in this “New World.” Larry never let go of this resurrection hope. Just days before he died, he simulated to his family the elated expression of joy he would have on his face when he is resurrected to life in the “New World.” Larry spent much of his life preaching to others about this promised paradise and wanted everyone to know what the Bible really teaches. Please visit www.watchtower.org to learn more about the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Larry is survived by his wife of 37 years, Valerie Thompson, sons, David Thompson, Omar Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Ara Thompson, Allon Thompson, and Aijah Thompson, and daughters, Ayisha Thompson, Aria Thompson, and Aliyah Thompson, and brothers, Reggie Johnson and Ed Johnson.

Larry's sense of humor, witty intellect, stories, and affection for friends and family, will be greatly missed. As his illness progressed it became increasingly difficult for him to reach out to the many people who helped make his life meaningful and enjoyable. Rest assured that he valued his relationship with you and looks forward to seeing you in paradise.