Claude William Thompson, Jr.

Claude W. Thompson " 85 High School Teacher Lakeland " Claude W. Thompson, Jr. passed away Tues February 12, 2013 at Lakeland Regional Hospital due to heart failure. He was born March 15, 1927 in Lakeland, FL. to the late Claude W. (Tommy) Thompson and Lois M. Thompson. He was a lifelong resident of Lakeland, attending Lakeland High School and Florida Southern College. After serving in the U.S. Navy during WW II, he taught at Lakeland High School for 30 years where he was nominated for Lakeland""s outstanding Young Teacher of the year in 1961. He was chosen as a charter member of the State Committee on Economic Education. At LHS he served as the golf coach and in 1957 the yearbook was dedicated to him. He was head of both the business department and of DCT cooperative training department when he retired in 1980. Claude was predeceased in death by his oldest son, Claude W. ""Tommy"" Thompson III. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna Jo; Sons, Terry (Gail), Tracy (Debbie) both of Lakeland; Daughter-in-laws, Julie Thompson and Cindy Michalek (Mark); grandchildren, Mathew (Erin), Adam (Amber), Bryan, Trenton, and Trey Thompson; granddaughter, Maddie Ross; A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Friday February 15th at the Tribute Center at Heath Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Saturday February 16th at Heath Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL. 33823, PKD Foundation, 8330 Ward Parkway, Suite 510, Kansas City, MO. 64114, or the National Kidney Foundation, 1040 Woodcock Road, Suite 119, Orlando, FL. 32803. Service: 02/16/2013 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Ave. Lakeland, FL. 33801 Tribute Center at Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 02/15/2013 Tribute Center at Heath Funeral Chapel