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James Robert Bob Thompson
May 12, 1927-October 21, 2012
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Bob was born May 12, 1927 in Mortimer, IL to Frank and Audry McCleary Thompson on the home farm. He left Illinois in 1943 and became a resident of Stockton, CA working at Stockton Box Company. It was his desire to join the Navy in 1944, taking his training at Farragut Navy Training Base in Idaho, Company 668/44. He was assigned to CASU 12 and sent to Guam after WWII ended. He was on board the aircraft carrier USS Bairoko during the testing of the Atomic Bomb in the Marshall Islands. He was discharged in 1949. He returned to Illinois and worked for 15 years as a route salesman for several different companies servicing Chanute Field AFB as one of his customers. He returned with his family back to Stockton in 1966. He joined the Army National Guard and served for 15 years for the 49th Helicopter Company in Stockton. He retired from Pepsi Bottling Company after 23 years. He drove truck for Panella Trucking for a period of 14 years. During the years at Pepsi he serviced Sharpe Army Depot. He was proud to say his mother drove a supply truck for Sharpe Army Depot during WWII and it was natural that he and his wife, Wanda, in 1996, became the Travelcamp hosts at Sharpe Depot and continued there until his death. He was a member of VFW Post 52 and the American Legion Post 803.

Preceding him in death was his wife of 34 years, Betty (Hall) Thompson in 1983 and his son Thomas Thompson in 2008, and his daughter Robin Bravo in 2011. Also preceding him in death was his beloved sister Myrtle Reynolds Hensley in 2011 of Pioneer, CA., and his nephew Freddie Reynolds. He is survived by his wife Wanda (Bridges) Sequera, whom he married in 1986 and his children Robert Thompson (Barbara) of Roseburg, OR, son in law Gilbert Bravo, grandaughter Heather Martinez (Nat) and his great-grandaughter Delaney Martinez, all of Stockton. Surviving him are his nephews Larry (Verna), Dale (Sue), Roger, Dennis and niece Donna Reynolds. Also surviving him are several great-nieces and nephews, six step children, 10 step grandchildren, and 2 step great-grandaughters.

Our thanks to Optima Hospice for their support and caring methods.

At his request, there will be no memorial services. He will be laid to rest in the San Joaquin Military cemetery in Gustine, CA.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, October 26, 2012