David Gordon Thompson Sr

David Thompson, born June 17, 1943, in Lafayette, Indiana to Louise and Gordon Thompson passed away on July 24^th, 2026 surrounded by family.

He graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School and attended Purdue University.  He worked at Alcoa for over 30 years in maintenance, shipping, and tool and die.  He also studied at Ivy Tech to learn about heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems, preparing himself for the numerous projects he had at his home and rental properties.

David met the love of his life, Doris, thanks to his future brother-in-law; who set them up on a blind date one Thanksgiving which turned into an almost 55 year marriage.  They had three children and innumerable animals over the years including: dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, a horse, and a goat.  The sheep were by far the most troublesome, and he wasn’t sad at all to see them go!

While working at Alcoa, David was a strong Union supporter where he worked as an Assistant Committeeman, Committeeman, Trustee, Executive Board, and Delegate to International conventions which sent him to Washington DC, Toronto, Canada, and Las Vegas, Nevada.  Some important issues that he fought for were clean water to drink and heat in the winter.

During retirement, David spent the winters in Bradenton, Florida with his wife, Doris.  They had lots of fun touring the area, enjoying the beach, nature walks, and swimming in the condo pool.   There were lots of friends to have meals with, attend parties, dinner cruises, card games, and shuffleboard.  David always talked most fondly of these years and he truly enjoyed retirement to the fullest.

When back from Florida, he and Doris spent a lot of time traveling to see their children and grandchildren.  They attended many football, baseball, soccer, hockey, marching band, and show choir competitions.  David was a wonderful card player who grew up beating his older brother’s friends in Canasta and Samba and as an adult, he loved playing euchre.  He would also play Old Maid and Crazy 8 with his children and grandchildren where he could often be seen doing sneaky card moves where he would move the card you wanted up and down in his deck.

David also loved Purdue basketball.  While he enjoyed going to the games, he also enjoyed watching them on TV or listening to them on the radio station WBAA.  In his later years, he would turn on his surround sound radio, sit on his couch, and enjoy listening to the game.   He would often be seen wearing Purdue gear to show his love of the team.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, where they can now be together again.  He leaves behind his daughter, D’Lee (Lonny) Barnett of Guilford, Indiana, daughter Deborah, (Frederic) Beck of Avon, Indiana, and son David (JoDee) Thompson of Fishers, Indiana and seven grandchildren.

His family will be holding a private ceremony but appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.