WAYNE THOMPSON (1939-2026)

WE HAVE LOST A TRULY GREAT AND UNIQUE MAN.

Wayne Thompson passed away with his family by his

side on August 17, 2026. He was born in Ohio but moved

to Tucson when he was little. There, he attended “most

of the schools” as his family moved quite often. Starting

work by the time he was ten, he helped support his family

and sometimes even got to sneak some of his earnings

for a soda or new shirt. Earning his own money (in literally

dozens of different jobs) led to his love of cars, and when he was 15 he bought his

first car to fix up (and about which his dad was none too happy). It was at Salpointe

Catholic High School, however, where his hot rod and slicked-back hair caught the

eye of the love of his life, Dorothy.

This began their truly amazing “American Dream” journey – that included marriage

a few weeks after graduation, a baby a year later, lots of promotions at Circle K

corp, and eventually brought them to Flagstaff in the late 1960s. On their two-day

honeymoon in Phoenix, they went to the only McDonalds in Arizona, where they

dined on hamburgers, fries and shakes; and still got change from a dollar! How the

world had changed when they renewed their vows at Mass in Hawaii 50 years later!

Their early life together was filled with hard work, laughter, four children, new

business ventures, more hard work, and school plays, sports, prom photos, fishing

trips, and graduations.

Wayne also had quite a knack for business and won awards in business and in the

early days of recycling. After starting several different businesses in and around

Flagstaff, his retirement brought a lot of cross-handed (physics defying!) golf and

some travel (where he would golf and she would shop). Grandchildren and greatgrandchildren

also filled up their time with babysitting and more sports, proms,

graduations, weddings, etc.

It is hard to describe Wayne without also discussing Dorothy. Their journey from

both of them working several jobs at once to pay rent, to moving to Flagstaff, to

starting businesses, and through retirement always included both of them. They

worked together every day, went to Mass together, and were rarely apart (other

than shopping and golf). Wayne had a great but quiet generosity that many in the

Flagstaff community know of, but about which he did not seek recognition or fanfare.

He missed Dorothy every day after her passing in 2022.

We all miss him greatly, and will miss hearing from him about his remarkable life

building his own “American Dream” (with Dorothy and family by his side) – through

hard work, faith, perseverance, dedication, service, and commitment.

He is survived by his children Michael (Sandy), Sherrie, Mark (Jeannette), and

Stephen (Elizabeth), as well as grandchildren Kristine (Nicholas), Michelle (Mark),

Michael, Mark (Soohyun), Tanner (Jade), Christine (Joseph), Victoria, Mattingly,

Mitchell (Hana) and Luke (Madeline); and great-grandchildren, Zachary, Zoey,

Jasmine, Ayla, and James (and baby Dorothy due February 2027). He was preceded

in death by his wife Dorothy, his parents, and granddaughter, Stacie.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 10:30 am at San

Francisco de Asis Catholic Church (Rosary at 10:00), 1600 E. Route 66, with

interment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. May God grant him refreshment,

light and peace.