Dan Thompson

Aurora, Utah - Daniel Stephenson Thompson, age 93, passed away December 24, 2009 at his home in Aurora, Utah. His wife Rae and sons Terry, Charlie and Jim were with him in the end. Dan was born April 13, 1916 in Scipio Utah, the fifth child of William Leslie and Eva Merinda Stephenson Thompson. He grew up in Aurora and graduated from North Sevier High School in 1935. He married Frances Rae Coons of Richfield on May 4, 1937 in the Manti LDS Temple. He was an active member of the LDS Church and served many years working with young men’s groups in his ward. He also served as High Priest Group Leader and as a temple worker. He served on the Aurora City Council for 12 years and as Mayor for eight years. He also served as Justice of the Peace for eight years. He loved Aurora City and its residents. Throughout his adult life he was principally a farmer and rancher. He worked for about a year as a miner in Ruth, Nevada where he was injured in a mine explosion and lost his eyesight. He then returned to Utah and raised turkeys, cows, chickens and other livestock as well as farmed. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing at Fish Lake. He and Rae camped and fished at Fish Lake during the summer months for many years following retirement. He also loved horses and trained several horses for riding. Red and Babe were among his favorites. He greatly enjoyed the fall roundup on Booby Hole Mountain and helped gather cattle every fall for many years. Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Rae, of Aurora; three sons Terry (Deanna) Thompson of Phoenix, Ariz.; Charlie (Ann) Thompson of Payson; Jim (Kathy) Thompson of South Jordan; 15 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sister: Alma (Aldena) Thompson of Orem, Rose (Francis) Winkel of St. George and Paul (Marba) Thompson of Hurricane. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Elaine (Lynn) Nielsen, Edith (Ken) Harward, and Joy (Einar) Johnson, a brother Homer (Lillian) Thompson and a grandson, Michael (Connie) Thompson. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. in the Aurora 2nd LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing Wednesday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Aurora Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. In lieu of flowers the family will accept donations in his name to the Utah State Library Program for the Blind and Disabled, 250 North, 1950 West, Suite A, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116-7901.