Joseph Thompson

Joseph "Bud" Thompson, 60, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at his home.

He was born Feb. 13, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, to Earsel Joseph and Josephine Sophie Neiderkorn Thompson. He and Sharon A. Sullivan were married July 12, 1969, in Ste. Genevieve, Mo.

Thompson was a 1966 graduate of Thomas W. Kelly High School in Benton, Mo., and a 1970 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. He achieved the Outstanding Soldier of the Quarter of the 5th Army award in 1972.

Thompson taught building trades at the Career and Technology Center in the Cape Girardeau Public School system. He was named the Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year in 1994. He retired in 2004. Thompson also owned and operated rental properties in Cape Girardeau.

He was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 11205.

Survivors include his wife of Cape Girardeau; three daughters, Robin (Cory) Garner of Castle Rock, Colo., April (Christopher) Tritto of St. Louis and Ashley Thompson of Cape Girardeau; four brothers, Henry Thompson, Ronald Thompson and Michael Thompson, all of Benton, and Randy Thompson of Charleston, Mo.; six sisters, Joan Rock of Big Spring, Texas, Barbara Dittlinger of Benton, Jane Pfefferkorn of Chaffee, Mo., Carol Meyer of Granite City, Ill., Peggy Thompson of Ste. Genevieve, and Brenda Guethle of Dexter, Mo.; and three grandchildren, Evan Garner, Addison Garner and Isabella Tritto.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating.

Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Graveside military rites will be provided by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Vincent de Paul Church for future building needs.