Gary Thompson

Gary Gene Thompson, the only child of Harry D. and Edna L. (Spring) Thompson, was born in Corning, Iowa on June 22, 1938. Gary passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Alegent Creighton Health in Corning. Gary was educated in the Corning Public Schools and started working with his parents, in the family business, when he was 16 years old. Gary graduated from Corning High School with the Class of 1956. On June 5, 1960, Gary married Judy Wallace at the Presbyterian Church in Corning and a son, Brent, was later born to bless this union.
In 1972, Gary purchased the family business, Thompson Electric Company, located on Corning’s Main Street, Davis Ave. In 1987, Gary began working in Financial Services for New York Life and opened his office next to Thompson Electric. Gary was involved in businesses located on Corning’s Main Street for over 60 years. Gary devoted countless hours serving on various Boards, including: the A.C.E.D.C., recruiting Industries to Corning and was instrumental in creating Corning’s Blue Grass Industrial Park. Gary served on the Board for the Chamber of Commerce and helped start the Chamber Coffee’s, which are still held on Friday mornings. He also served on the Board for Corning Main Street and was proud that Corning was one of the first Main Street Communities in the state. Gary was also instrumental in starting the Southwest Iowa Coalition, bringing neighboring communities together to work for a common goal. In his final project, Gary raised the money for the new Sports Court, an outdoor basketball facility in Corning. Gary was a long-time member of the Corning Rotary Club, the Happy Hollow Country Club and the Corning Presbyterian Church. Gary also served on the Corning Volunteer Fire Department and the Iowa National Guard for many years.
Preceding Gary in death were his parents and his mother and father-in-law.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Judy Thompson of Corning; his son, Brent (wife Sally) Thompson of Corning; two grandsons: Devin and Blake Thompson; several cousins and many, many friends.