Disciplined to Serve
By Benjamin Faurie
Earl Wilford Thompson
1946 - 2005
Earl Wilford Thompson was born in 1946 in St. George, Washington County, Utah.[1] He was the son of Joseph Claude Thompson (1917–1982) and Helen Thompson (Leavitt) (1921–2011). The Thompson family were active participants in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. St. George, a Mormon church, in the late 1940s and 1950s. It was a very close community, shaped by local activities such as parties, picnics, and potlucks. During his youth, current events like the civil rights movement and the Cold War influenced everyday life, and many young men were inspired by patriotism to defend their country by joining the military to rise above Soviet power.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1970, right as the Vietnam War continued and American sentiment was growing moredivided. His service took him into the final stretch of U.S. combat involvement in Vietnam, which officially finished by 1973. The Vietnam War, known for its incredibly brutal war tactics like “guerrilla warfare,” was likely a terrifying, gruesome time in his life. His military records suggest that he served for nearly two decades, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, a rank indicating leadership and high responsibility. However, available documents contain inaccuracies about the hit dates served. Since his service extended into the 1980s, he may have been involved in Cold Warmilitary operations, training programs, or strategic planning rather than direct combat.
During that period, he married Kathleen England, and together they raised five children named Stephen (Natalie) Thompson, Scott(Ulya) Thompson, Jodi (Chris) Houston, Amy (Bret) Jordan, and Tracy (Jared) Livingston. Despite the many responsibilities of Army life and the national debates over the war, Earl stayed committed to his duties.
After leaving the military, he continued working in various roles, including a position at Chytraus, a finance/insurance company, which suggests he transitioned into financial advising or risk assessment. His faith stayed strong, and he served as an Elders Quorum President, High Counselor, and Bishop in his church. His leadership in the church reflected the same discipline, commitment, and service-oriented mindset that had defined his military career.
He passed away in Denver in 2005 at the age of 59 from complications after surgery (Dignity Memorial, 2005; Find a Grave,2018). References to his service appear in veterans’ national cemeteries (VVA1071, 2016).
Footnotes ↓
[1] Information for this biography can be found at: www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.chytrauscompany_llc.6d126b95b374aee136d73004fdda6962.html https://vva1071.org/uploads/3/4/4/6/34460116/final_roll_call_book.pdf https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/name/earl/thompson https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193141472/earl-wilford-thompson
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