Clifford Thompson

Clifford Thompson

May 12, 1919 – February 25, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 08, 2011 at Grinnell Christian Church
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 08, 2011 at Grinnell Christian Church
Clifford was born on May 12, 1919, on the family farm near Lynnville, Iowa to Louis and Florence Amy Burnham Thompson. He was raised on the family farm and attended country school. As a young man he moved to Grinnell and graduated with the Class of 1937 from Grinnell High School. After his education he began work with the Morrison-Shults Jacket Company and moved up the ranks to a management position. He served with the United States Navy during World War II and was stationed in New Zealand and Australia.

On August 18, 1940, he was married to Betty Jean Arbs at her parent’s home in Newton, Iowa. The couple moved to Grinnell following Clifford’s military service. He and his brother, Cloyd Thompson, founded and constructed the Oakland Acres Golf Course near Grinnell. From 1968 to 1977, the couple lived in Taiwan and he served as an Executive Vice President for the DeLong’s Sportswear Company. After his retirement the couple resided in Florida and Gilman, Iowa. In 2004, the couple moved to Seeland Park in Grinnell.

Clifford was a member and Past Exulted Ruler of the Grinnell Elks Lodge and he was also a member of the American Legion and the Iowa Senior Golf Association. He was an avid golfer and he enjoyed woodworking, playing bridge and socializing with family and friends.

Survivors include his daughter, Kathi (Mike) Sawyer of Ankeny; three grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and two brothers, Cloyd Thompson of Grinnell and Elmer Thompson of Ottumwa. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one daughter, Diana Pagel; and one sister, Myrtle Hart.

Source: Smith Funeral Home