Harry Thompson Obituary

Harry Dean Thompson Sr.

Feb 19, 1943 - Aug 30, 2024

Sandusky

Harry Dean Thompson Sr., 81, residing in Sandusky, passed away Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at home surrounded by family after a lengthy illness.

He was born Feb. 19, 1943, in Sandusky, to Harry F. and Naomi (Babcock) Thompson, who preceded him in death. During his senior year in high school at Sandusky High School in 1962, Harry and his team won the Plymouth Trouble Shooting Contest at the state level (Ohio), advancing to the national contest where they placed third in the nation. Harry married his sweetheart, Arlene Kay (Neill), on Aug. 24, 1963, and the family celebrated their 61st anniversary Aug. 24, 2024. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Perseverance Lodge 329, in Sandusky, serving as Worshipful Master in the early 1980s, and member of St. Stephens United Church of Christ and Remember Cruisin' Car Club.

Throughout his life, he was employed at Marks Pick-N-Pay, Ronnie's Beer Dock, and New Departure Hyatt (for just under 25 years.) Though a "GM guy" through and through, Harry was "loaned" to the Sandusky Ford plant to assist the Ford clutch team in fixing some issues they were having with their clutches. In thanks, they gave him a plaque engraved with "He always comes through in the clutch!" And he did. Whether for work, friends, or family, you could always count on Harry to lend a helping hand.

After retirement, Harry continued to keep busy. He owned and operated Classic AAA Driving School with Arlene from 1985-1989. Arlene handled the classroom instruction and Harry bravely handled the in-car instruction. He was also a bus driver for Sandusky City Schools for 10 years, worked at McDonald's, and spent six years at Cedar Point, during which time he and Arlene made many deep and enduring friendships with young people from all over the world. He also used his free time to restore two 1950s classic Ford trucks and was pleased to display his handiwork at various car shows in the area throughout the years.

Harry is survived by his wife, Arlene (Neill) Thompson; children, Beth Ann (Kevin) Wagner, Jennifer Lynn (Gregory) Eschedor, and Harry Dean "Butch" Thompson Jr.; grandchildren, Jennifer Michelle Love, Samuel Wagner, Nathaniel Wagner, Danielle (Thomas) Kays, Jonathan (fiancée, Autumn Fox) Eschedor, and Brandon Thompson; great-grandchildren, Jackson Brown, Brynn Dille, Micaela Love, Neeko Wagner, Abigail Kays, Noah Eschedor, Brenden Gibson-Fraley, Caitlyn Fraley, Cameron Thompson, Ashlynn Thompson, and Emerson Thompson; sisters, Joyce (Roy III) Patterson and Judy Lynn Thompson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Visitation for friends will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, with Masonic Services at 6:45 p.m. Additional visitation will be 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, until the time of Harry's funeral at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen United Church of Christ, 905 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, with the Rev. Jerald Fenske presiding. Burial will follow at Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron.

Those wishing to contribute to Harry's memory may do so to Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870, or one's favorite charity.

Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.