Stanley Eugene Thompson

Stanley E. Thompson, 79, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2023. He joins the love of his life, Rosalee Rae Thompson (nee Fleming) who preceded him in death in September of 2020.

He was a wonderful man, husband, father, friend & Pop Pop. Stan loved many things... golf, cigars, westerns, his dogs, country music (the Waylon & Willie kind), Bears football, & anything UT... but most of all he loved his family & friends, always teasing everyone equally.

Born in Obion County, Tennessee in 1943, Stan spent his childhood on the family farm with his parents Ralph & Jean Thompson, and his two younger brothers Jim & Charlie. The family relocated to Hammond, Indiana in the late 1950’s where he attended Hammond Tech High School and played a little football himself.

Stan married Rosalee in 1966 after his friend and her cousin Billy introduced them. From the time he spent on the farm, he always worked hard and had several jobs like a distributor of southern sausage up north and the owner of a grocery store, but he soon started his career in the trucking industry as an owner/operator driving across the country, working his way up to Regional VP of Operations for MTL/Quality Carriers... not bad for a guy who dropped out of HS because he had to work.

Stan & Rose raised their family in Goodenow, Calumet City & Crete, IL. Their house in Crete (which he helped build) was the site for tons of parties, always filled with friends and family, and everyone was welcome to come over and use the pool whenever they liked. They then moved to Mississippi after their sons finished college in 1992 (mostly because Stan was “sick of the Chicago winters!”); finally settling in Hernando, MS.

Stan was a beloved member (and part-time grass cutter/snake shooter) of Hernando Hills Country Club and made countless friends. He enjoyed hundreds, maybe thousands of rounds of golf, tournaments, and Saturday “big games”... winning more than his share of skats! He was also a big contributor to the karaoke heyday at the club... bringing down the house with everyone’s favorite George Jones tunes.

Stan and Rose’s home in Hernando became a destination where they welcomed a revolving door of family and friends. Stan always looked forward to the summers when his kids and grandkids spent weeks at a time. They also returned home often for holidays and milestones with the family and they traveled often to see the sports and activities of their grandchildren... including St Louis, the Dells, Louisville, and Myrtle Beach. Pop Pop was a fan favorite of both the kids and their parents... always keeping the coaches in check with his colorful commentary!

Stan and Rose also enjoyed vacationing with their family and extended family and went on many adventures. In the early years, he spent many summers teaching every kid who asked to water ski at Lake of the Ozarks or Cedar Lake; spending hours in the water waiting for the boat to pick him up. Later, he took many trips with his brothers and sisters-in-law... once navigating the dangerous cliffs of the Rockies in an RV. They hit places like Gulf Shores and Sarasota with friends and family any time they could... and who can forget how he brought the northern and southern boys together at Rend Lake for almost 20 years straight!

Stan is survived by his sons David Thompson (husband Aigars Placitis) of Chicago, IL, and Ray Thompson (wife Julie Poulos) of Wheaton, IL, and three grandchildren... Payton Thompson, Demi Rae Thompson and Jonass Placitis. He is also survived by his brothers Jim Thompson (wife Beverly) of Sauk Village, IL, and Charles Thompson (wife Sheila) of Park Forest, IL, and his sister-in-law Sharon Kniola of Valparaiso, IN along with many loved nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.

Visitation will be held at 9 am on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Castle Hill Funeral Home, 248 – 155th Place, Calumet City, IL 60409, followed by a Funeral Mass at St Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church (Jesus Shepherd Of Souls Parish), 768 Lincoln Avenue, Calumet City, IL 60409 at 11 am. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Make-A-Wish foundation in Stanley’s honor at wish.org/Illinois/donate.

For service information call (708)862-4480 or visit castlehillfuneralhome.com for online guestbook.

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