Douglas "Doug" Thompson

Douglas Doug Earl Thompson, 84, of Great Falls passed away December 2, 2014 from Alzheimer's with his family by his side.A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Doug was born April 20, 1930 in Lewistown, Montana to Earl and Zeta Thompson. He was one of 13 children. He was raised and educated in Winifred. He married Ruby Potterf of Roy in 1949. They raised three sons Ken, Jerry and Dennis. Ruby passed away in 1992. In Doug's early years he worked numerous jobs in the Winifred area. In 1957, he began working road construction which had the family moving across Montana for several years. In 1964, the family settled in Cascade. He was active in the community and served as a member of the Cascade School Board. Doug began a career with Buttrey Foods in Great Falls at that time. He started in the warehouse and eventually began the job he loved of being a truck driver. In 1995, Doug was inducted into the National Truck Driver's Hall of Fame at a ceremony conducted in Atlanta, Georgia for 30 years of accident free driving.In 1994, Doug married Dorene Balzer in Great Falls. They enjoyed traveling in their 5th-wheel trailer across the country with friends. In this marriage, he gained four step-daughters Vickie, Tammy, Lori, and Jackie and their families. He enjoyed the love and affection he received from his new daughters. He became especially close with his son-in-law, Bob who nicknamed him Dougie .Dad was a person with many talents. He was an accomplished carpenter, mechanic, and musician. Dad enjoyed camping trips with the family which usually involved playing his guitar and singing around the campfire. Dad never met a stranger he couldn't converse with, a song he didn't want to dance to, and a beer he didn't want to drink. Dad had a gregarious and outgoing personality. Lifelong friendships were made with members of the communities he lived in and from the jobs he held.All of the grandchildren adored him and all of his granddaughters loved dancing with him at family events. Dad had a deep love of family from siblings to great-grandchildren.Doug is survived by his wife, Dorene; sons Ken (Terry) Thompson of Great Falls, and Jerry (Carol) Thompson of Rapelje; step-daughters; Vickie (Bob) Williamson of Great Falls, Tammy (Paul) Lavigne of Helena, Lori Smith of Great Falls and Jackie (Kreg) Jones of Great Falls; brothers John (Darleene) Thompson of Seatac, WA, Dick (Betty) Thompson of Spokane, WA, Ted (Judy) Thompson of Roy, and Tom (Dorothy) Thompson of Lewistown; sister Bonnie Shiflett of Havre; grandchildren Cory (Bonnie) Thompson, Krystal Thompson,Kari (Jeremy) Hayes, Kasi Thompson, Samantha (Curtis) Childree, Randi (Kevin) Barber, Lee Thompson, Dusty (Kate) Thompson, Amber (Peter) Fleek, Nikki Williamson, Jami Williamson, Casey Peterson, Tommy (Megan) Peterson, Cory Smith, Brittney Smith, Kelsey Pfennigs, Tyler Pfennigs and Justin Pfennigs; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by Ruby; his parents; son Dennis; brothers Kenneth, Robert, and Paul; sisters Garnet, Wava, Donna and Doris; and grandson Tyson.The family wishes to thank the staff at the Renaissance Assisted Living home for their care, affection and kindness during his time with them.Memorials in Dougs name may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 3010 11th Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101.