C. Lee Monroe Thompson of Collins, MO passed away peacefully in his home the morning of Friday, June 3, 2016 at the age of 71; surrounded and comforted by his loving wife, children and grandchildren.
Lee was born February 12, 1945 on the family farm in Eastern New Mexico to M.D. Thompson and Minnie Gertrude Smith Thompson. He spent his youth working on ranches across New Mexico until he eventually made his way to California. Lee continued to work on ranches while staying with family members.
In February of 1963, Lee tested out of his remaining high school classes and received his diploma. He joined the Air Force April 1, 1963. He spent the next four years traveling to many different countries working as a Crypto operator. Lee was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class on March 31, 1967. After his discharge from the Air Force, Lee worked in the computer industry in California. About a year later, he became disillusioned with living in California and he moved to Oklahoma. In Oklahoma he eventually made his way from working on computers to joining the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union.
It was during this time his oldest son, Jeffrey Lee Monroe Thompson was born out of his first marriage to June Shields. He also has four children with the love of his life, Lillian Ruth “Sue” Hall Thompson: Victoria Thompson, Jennifer (Thompson) Buller, Rio Thompson and Ian Thompson.
In 1983 Lee was hired on as an Instrument Technician at Plains Electric (which later became Tri-State), a coal fired power plant in Prewitt, New Mexico. Lee continued to educate himself and achieved several promotions. He was the Maintenance Superintendent for Tri-State when, in 2003, he was asked to be the company’s on site Representative at a new coal fired power plant that was being built near Springerville, AZ. Lee accepted the position and moved to Arizona with his wife Sue, until he retired in 2006
After his retirement, Lee and Sue moved to Collins, MO where they have resided since. Throughout his life, Lee was an enthusiastic learner. He took many classes to further his education as well as researched topics of interest to him, increasing his knowledge and understanding of a subject. Lee studied science, history, philosophy, sociology, its development into a political philosophy and anything else he thought he should be aware. He was particularly interested in the government and desired to understand the changes in the way our current government works versus the intentions of our forefathers.
Lee was very strong in his faith in the Lord and enjoyed sharing his faith and beliefs with others. He was a member of Coon Creek Baptist church in Collins, MO.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents M.D. and Minnie (Smith) Thompson; three brothers and one sister, Durwood, Olin Lando, Minnie, and Obey “Dobie” Duane.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Thompson; sons, Jeff Thompson, Rio Thompson, and Ian Thompson; daughters Victoria Thompson and Jennifer (Thompson) Buller; grandchildren Shelby Thompson, Lily Lucero, Morgan Babb, Hannah Buller, Kaiah Buller and Phoebe Buller; brothers Billy Joe, Paul Lawson, M.D., Ivan Lonzo, Ronnie Douglas Cox; and sisters Dorothy Mae and Sharon Leota, as well as many other family and friends.
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