Obituary for Grant Thompson
Grant Thompson, 91, of Grove City and formerly of Clearfield and Curwensville, passed away Saturday November 24, 2018.
He is survived by the love of his life, Hilda Mae (Bowery), and two daughters, Lois (Richard) Rekowski, Weirton, WV, and Nancy (Michael) Byham, Atascadero, CA. "Pops" also leaves behind four grandchildren, Christopher (Christy) Byham, Stephanie (Mitch) Brown, Shawn (Deanna) Byham, and Jonathon David (JD) Byham, as well as several great-great grandchildren: Taylor, Cayden, and Jhett Brown, Lainie Byham, Emma Byham, and soon to come baby boy Byham. Also surviving are niece Jami Henson and nephew Allan Samchok. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Fred D. and Lois (Solley) Thompson, and two sisters, Doris Baynes and Adele Samchok.
Mr. Thompson was born January 27, 1927 in Clearfield PA, less than a block from where his wife would be born some five and a half years later, though they would not meet until they were adults. A WWII veteran, he graduated from Curwensville High School in spring of 1945 and immediately entered the armed services., serving with the 13th Army Air Force at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines Army of Occupation.
Upon his return to the states, he attended Eastman School of Music, and then completed his degree in music education at Penn State. He briefly taught for the Purchase Line School District (Mahaffey, PA) before taking a position as band director and instrumental music instructor with the Grove City Area School District in 1957. He remained at Grove City until his retirement in 1985.
A lifelong clarinetist and saxophonist with a love for jazz, swing, and Dixieland music,, Mr. Thompson also obtained a master's degree in music from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University.. Throughout his life he much enjoyed playing many a side gig; he was a member of the Starlighters, the Stan Macey Band, the Adam Tishov Band, the Don Burns Orchestra, the Ed Telega Band, the Johnny Martin Band, the Jimmy Earnest Combo Group, worked with accordionist Johnny Oakes. He performed with many community bands in central and western Pennsylvania, but his favored memories were playing with jazz artist Joe Negri and a solo number with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
In retirement he continued performing, but also enjoyed gardening, cooking and trying out recipes, taking trips to California to visit the grandchildren, telling bad puns, and enjoying spending time with his beloved wife of 65 years, Hilda.
And if the heavenly choirs have a swing band to accompany them, Grant is surely seated in the front row and cracking jokes.
Funeral Services for Mr. Thompson will be held at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville on Saturday December 1, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Curwensville.
Friends will be received at the Cunningham Funeral Home in Grove City on Thursday November 29 from 4 to 7 PM and again at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. in Curwensville on Friday November 30 from 4 to 7 PM and again on Saturday from 10 AM until time of services at 11 AM
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Cunningham Funeral Home, Inc. of Grove City and the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville are in charge of the arrangements.
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He is survived by the love of his life, Hilda Mae (Bowery), and two daughters, Lois (Richard) Rekowski, Weirton, WV, and Nancy (Michael) Byham, Atascadero, CA. "Pops" also leaves behind four grandchildren, Christopher (Christy) Byham, Stephanie (Mitch) Brown, Shawn (Deanna) Byham, and Jonathon David (JD) Byham, as well as several great-great grandchildren: Taylor, Cayden, and Jhett Brown, Lainie Byham, Emma Byham, and soon to come baby boy Byham. Also surviving are niece Jami Henson and nephew Allan Samchok. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Fred D. and Lois (Solley) Thompson, and two sisters, Doris Baynes and Adele Samchok.
Mr. Thompson was born January 27, 1927 in Clearfield PA, less than a block from where his wife would be born some five and a half years later, though they would not meet until they were adults. A WWII veteran, he graduated from Curwensville High School in spring of 1945 and immediately entered the armed services., serving with the 13th Army Air Force at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines Army of Occupation.
Upon his return to the states, he attended Eastman School of Music, and then completed his degree in music education at Penn State. He briefly taught for the Purchase Line School District (Mahaffey, PA) before taking a position as band director and instrumental music instructor with the Grove City Area School District in 1957. He remained at Grove City until his retirement in 1985.
A lifelong clarinetist and saxophonist with a love for jazz, swing, and Dixieland music,, Mr. Thompson also obtained a master's degree in music from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University.. Throughout his life he much enjoyed playing many a side gig; he was a member of the Starlighters, the Stan Macey Band, the Adam Tishov Band, the Don Burns Orchestra, the Ed Telega Band, the Johnny Martin Band, the Jimmy Earnest Combo Group, worked with accordionist Johnny Oakes. He performed with many community bands in central and western Pennsylvania, but his favored memories were playing with jazz artist Joe Negri and a solo number with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
In retirement he continued performing, but also enjoyed gardening, cooking and trying out recipes, taking trips to California to visit the grandchildren, telling bad puns, and enjoying spending time with his beloved wife of 65 years, Hilda.
And if the heavenly choirs have a swing band to accompany them, Grant is surely seated in the front row and cracking jokes.
Funeral Services for Mr. Thompson will be held at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville on Saturday December 1, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Curwensville.
Friends will be received at the Cunningham Funeral Home in Grove City on Thursday November 29 from 4 to 7 PM and again at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. in Curwensville on Friday November 30 from 4 to 7 PM and again on Saturday from 10 AM until time of services at 11 AM
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Cunningham Funeral Home, Inc. of Grove City and the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville are in charge of the arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Grant Thompson, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
30
Nov
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Visitation
Saturday
1
Dec
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Cemetery Details
Location
Oak Hill Cemetery
Thompson Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
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