Clyde William Thompson

Clyde William Thompson passed away on August 18, 2021. Clyde was born in Glendale, California to William Gallespie and Patricia Trafford Gallespie Thompson. At age 2, Clyde was adopted by John Thompson. He graduated high school in Concord, CA. As a youth he spent his summers at camp near Lake Shasta, CA, where he earned his Eagle Scout medal. In 1963, after graduating with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, he volunteered and joined the US Air Force. Immediately he was sent to 0TS (Officers Training School) in San Antonio, TX. After training he served in many parts of the US and had two overseas tours. In 1967 he was sent to Thailand and in 1977 he served in South Korea. His final assignment was at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1984, after 21 years, he immediately went to work for the Department of Defense and continued his experience on the C-17 Cargo Plane program as an Aerospace Engineer and a Project Manager with the McDonald Douglas plant in Long Beach, CA (now Boeing). He remained there until his retirement from government service in 2005. Upon his retirement, he moved to Albuquerque, NM. He was fortunate to have a career that was also his passion. He dearly loved his Country and served it well. Clyde was the most honest and dependable man most people ever met. He was loyal and unwavering in his commitment to the people he loved.

He is survived by his wife Margaret of years; also his son, Eric Thompson of San Francisco, CA and son Steven Surran & wife Carla and 2 granddaughters, Kendall and Kelsea Surran, of North Port, FL.; and daughter, Sandra Lee Sonnenberg & husband Garth and grandsons, Max Michael & Clark William Sonnenberg of Albuquerque, NM. Clyde loved to share the outdoors with family and friends through skiing, hiking, biking, and traveling. He & Margaret traveled to many countries in Europe, including Russia and South America where they visited, Mexico, Peru, and Argentina. Burial Services will take place at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. A Memorial Service will be Tuesday September 14, 2021 at 6 p.m. at FRENCH- Wyoming.