Scottish Rite Express

Valley of Des Moines ---------------------------------- Orient of Iowa

June 14, 2016

Announcing the passing of        Brother Ford C. Thompson, 32° KCCH

I regret to inform the members of the Des Moines Valley of the passing of Ford C. Thompson, 90, on June 12, 2016 in Newton. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 15th at the funeral home. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am Thursday, June 16, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 210 N 2nd St in Newton. Burial will be at the Newton Union Cemetery in Newton. Ford, the son of John Curtiss and Ozela Belle (Goode) Thompson, was born January 15, 1926 in Newton, Iowa. He was a graduate of Newton High School. Ford served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Alabama. On May 29, 1948, Ford was united in marriage with Florence E. Cox in Newton. He worked at the Maytag Company, beginning in payroll/time keeping and later in the factory before retiring in 1988. Ford was a Past Master of Newton Lodge #59 AF & AM. He was a Past High Priest of Gebal Chapter #12 Royal Arch Masons, Past Illustrious Master of Malachi Council #55 Royal &   Select Masters, and Past Eminent Commander of Oriental Commandery #22 Knights Templar. He was a member of Charles Clyde Hunt Priory #42 KYCH (Knights of York Cross of Honour). Ford was a Past Patron of Newton Chapter #100 Order of the Eastern Star. He served as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter Order of Iowa of the Order of Eastern Star in 1995. He was a member of Za-Ga-Zig Shrine. Ford joined the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory in the fall of 1969. He served as a Class Marshal for many years. He received the Knight Commander Court of Honour (KCCH) from the Des Moines Scottish Rite Valley in November 2003. Ford was a member of the First United Methodist Church, UAW Local 997,  and a past member of the Izaak Walton League. Ford was also State Vice Commander and Local Commander of the American Legion, Last Man's Club, and 40 & 8. He was a Shrine Clown in the Za-Ga-Zig for many years.  Ford enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and was an avid Iowa Cubs and Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Ford was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Florence in 2001; and his sister, Geraldine Van Dam. Memorials to the Comfort House in Pella or to the American Cancer Society may be left at the funeral home or at the church on the morning of the service. Memorials may also be mailed to the Wallace Family Funeral Home, please add, Attn: Thompson Family on the envelope. Sincerely and Fraternally, Shane A. Harshbarger Secretary/Registrar - Des Moines Scottish Rite