Michael James Thompson was taken home to that God who gave him life April 30, 2011 from Manteca, California after a brief but intense struggle with anaplastic thyroid cancer. He was born June 29, 1960, the third of four children to Robert and Doreen Thompson of Newport Beach, California. Growing up, he lived in Costa Mesa, Glendora, Simi Valley, San Ramon and Danville, California, as well as Massachusetts.

Michael was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a two-year mission to London, England, 1980 to 1982. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from California State University at Fresno in 1990, and worked for General Electric Reactor Services Engineering for 21 years, achieving the title “senior engineer” before his death at age 50. He married April Sonya Jew of Kent, Washington, on September 3, 1988, in the Oakland, California LDS temple. He was proud to work to support his family and of his extensive travel for his job. His travels took him to Japan, Taiwan, Spain, Germany, Mexico, as well as much of the United States. He also enjoyed family vacations, camping, and backyard barbecues. He loved studying science, culture, and history.

Michael is survived by April, his wife of 22 years, their four children, Cathy, Kevin, Trevor, and Sarah, a brother, Stan Thompson of Nevada City, California, and two sisters, Denise Salisbury and Kimberley Workman of Eugene, Oregon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 14, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 6060 Northland Road, in Manteca. The viewing will be held at 10 a.m. with funeral services at 11 a.m. and graveside service to follow at Ripon Cemetery. Eaton Family Funeral and Cremation Services of Modesto is handling the funeral arrangements.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, May 10, 2011