Solon Thompson Obituary

On March 22, Solon Thompson, known to many as Tommy Thompson, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Cheyenne Mountain Care Center in Colorado Springs. He was eighty seven. Born in Baxter, Tennessee, Thompson, like many young men at the time, was inducted into the United States Army in December of 1943. Serving in the European theater, he attained the rank of Corporal, earning two bronze stars. He was honorably discharged in December of 1946. Thompson eventually moved to southern California and found employment with the Byron Jackson Company where he worked faithfully as a machinist for over 40 years. Shortly after his arrival in California, Thompson met Dorothy Jean Gray. The couple married but divorced two years later. In 1987, Gray, now a widow, contacted Thompson in California. When Gray presented the question, "what have you been up to," Thompson replied, "waiting for you to call." After a brief courtship the couple again exchanged vows and remained at each other's side until Thompson's passing twenty five years later. Thompson was a faithful husband constantly caring for Jean until it became a challenge that would be a challenge even to a man half his age. Jean and Tommy became residents of Cheyenne Mountain Care Center in 2011 where they lived, laughed and continually held hands every moment of every day. Making adjustments to their new home proved challenging in the beginning for Jean but Tommy always had a smile on his face and a sense of joyful peace that accompanied him wherever he went. Thompson is survived by his wife, two brothers, Arthur Thompson Jr. and Robert Thompson both of Baxter, Tennessee as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Services will be held at Little Chapel of the Hills in Divide, Colorado on Friday, April 5th at eleven o'clock in the morning. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sol Amor Hospice in Colorado Springs.