Barbara T. Thompson

Barbara Euen Thornton Thompson, a native of Florida, passed away Friday, December 15, 2017 at home in Oro Valley, AZ surrounded by her family. Barbara was born at her grandmother's house in Dade City, Florida, January 9, 1932. By the time she was 3, the Thornton family moved to Sarasota, where her father owned and operated his own grocery store. Barbara attended Bay Haven School, Central and Sarasota Junior High where she met and dated the love her life, Lucien T. "Tommy" Thompson, and graduated from Sarasota High School in 1950. She attended the University of Florida for 2 years, then worked full time for the university's School of Elementary Education, as a secretary/typist for Turkish scholars studying rural education in the U.S. She and Tommy enjoyed visiting her 26 aunts and uncles, and her many close first cousins, from one end of the state of Florida to the other before and after their time in Gainesville. Barbara and Tommy were married after his graduation from the University of Florida on June 6, 1954 at First Baptist Church in downtown Sarasota, and Tommy went on active duty in the USAF the following Valentine's Day. As an "Air Force wife", Barbara moved 23 times in Tommy's 25-year service career, retiring first to Virginia then returning 29 years ago to Sarasota. Barbara devoted her life to others, making each place Uncle Sam sent them a true home, whether for 3 weeks or 3 years. Family was her highest priority: keeping Tommy fit and ready to fly, raising children, caring for her parents and older relatives, and cooking and planning for family gatherings. Barbara had many good friends among the members of First Baptist Church and loved living in Sarasota. After decades of nursing and caring for neighbors, family and friends, last March, Barbara accepted that she might need help herself, and she and Tommy moved to make a final home with her youngest son and his wife in Arizona. After months of steady decline, she elected hospice care at home, and shared some last moments with her sister, Kay, and brother, Ted, in a final reunion. Her kidneys failed her in the end, but not the love of her husband or family. Those close to Barbara will remember her for her delicious cooking, her many collections, her attention to detail, and her sly sense of humor. Barbara is survived by her husband, their two married sons, Lucien "Tres" Thompson (Rosa) and Randall W. Thompson (Tricia), 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, with more due soon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund or the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation. Services will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at Sarasota National Cememtery at 10:30 am.

Barbara T. Thompson

January 9, 1932 - December 15, 2017