Harold K. Thomson

Mr. Thomson died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at Newman Regional Health. He was cremated.

He was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Emporia, the son of Stuart Oliver Thomson and Ruby Jane Wikoff. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1935 and from University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in forest management. He also attended mid-shipman school in New York and Naval Marine Warfare School in Yorktown, Pa.

Mr. Thomson served in the U.S. Navy from February 1942 until August 1958 and was discharged as a full lieutenant. He served on the USS YMS-136 in the Pacific Ocean during the war and on the USS YMS-73 after the war. He was also a part of U.S. Naval Reserve Division 9 in Emporia. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three stars, the World War II Victory Medal and Admiral’s Commendation Medal for Minesweeping in the Philippine Islands. He also received the Alfred P. Sloan “Radio and TV” Award for distinguished public service in highway safety in 1960.

He owned and operated Thomson Brake and Alignment until he retired in 1980. He had also been a forester in Arkansas.

Mr. Thomson was a member of Emporia Masonic Lodge, Topeka Scottish Rite and Arab Shrine.

He married Suzanne E. Harrison, who died Aug. 31, 1978, and Jean A. Allen, who died Sept. 29, 2000. He married Roberta Rudolph on Sept. 20, 2002. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Steven O., Manhattan, and Andrew C., Angier, N.C.; a stepson, Raymond Dowell, Wichita; two stepdaughters, Margaret Smith, Marlin, Tex., and Oneta Lindbloom, Osage City; a brother, Charles, Excelsior, Minn.; a sister, Sue I. Hess, Lawrence; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to Shriners Hospitals for Children, sent in care of Charter Funerals, 501 W. Sixth Ave., Emporia 66801.