Obituary of Lee Stewart Thompson

January 12, 1930 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

December 19, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Lee Thompson of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the age of 92 years.

Lee is survived by his daughter Nancy (Terry) Garberg, his son-in-law Glenn Molnar (Kathy), his “adopted” daughter Carol Dutchak, his grandchildren, Wayne (Diane), Teryn, Brett, Courtland (Sandra), Quinton, Mark (Tara), and Rob (Catherine); his great-grandchildren, Audrina, Summer, Walter, Braxton, and Oskar; as well as his nephew and niece, Duane (Krista) and Michelle. He is predeceased by his wife Liz (a 72-year love story), his dearly missed daughter Marnie Molnar, and his younger brother Don.

Lee grew up in Winnipeg, MB, meeting the love of his life at fifteen. Lee and Liz raised their two daughters with many trips involving water or snow skiing. They enjoyed military balls, meetings with royalty, parties at the Oilmen’s, Stampeder games, winters in Palm Springs, and travelled the world together. Lee became a hands-on papa to five grandchildren. In later years Papa loved to watch the great-grandkids cavort at family gatherings. Lee’s militia service started as a cadet in 1942. He served in the military for 52 years and ended his career as Commander of Southern Alberta Militia District with the rank of Colonel. His military time included being an honorary Aid de Camp to Lt. Governor Grant McEwan and to Governor General Roland Michener and being Honorary Colonel of 14 Service Battalion. Lee used his military expertise in the Army Cadet League of Canada and as Chairman of the Museum of the Regiments, to name a few. After retiring from the military, he joined the Calgary Stampede, chairing two committees, serving as a director for nine years and finishing as a lifetime honorary director. Lee melded his military and Stampede expertise to establish a Military Liaison Committee which resulted in a bigger military presence at Stampede Park, a regiment experiencing a royal send-off to Afghanistan, and Joint Chiefs of Staff and NATO personnel attending the Rodeo and Chucks. Lee also had a day job! He was ten years at Canada Cities Service and 25 years at Prudential Steel, ending as Vice President of Finance. Lee felt blessed to have a plethora of friends from his Earl Grey golf buddies to the Colonel’s lunch gang to friends and staff at the manor. Lee lived a full life and then some and will be sorely missed by his family who loved him dearly.

Memorial Services will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church (3704 – 37th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, January 13, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the “Knox Hall” at Knox Presbyterian Church. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 Telephone: (403) 255-6108, www.kidney.ca, or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Lee Thompson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.