Date of death: 1/11/2015

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1952

Father Pat died Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the Kahl Home following a courageous battle with cancer.George Martin Thompson, named after his grandfathers, was born on July 12, 1926 in Davenport, a son of Thomas and Marie (Purcell) Thompson. He was raised in the Cork Hill neighborhood of Davenport, graduating from Sacred Heart School and St. Ambrose Academy in 1944. He served our country as a Private 1st Class in the Army during World War II and was on a ship to Japan when the war ended in 1945.When he returned to the States, Father Pat reenrolled at St. Ambrose College where he graduated with degrees in Philosophy and Latin. After graduation and many hours filled with prayer, Father Pat answered his call to the priesthood. He attended Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana and was ordained to the priesthood on July 6, 1952 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, Ill. His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine, Aledo. His other assignments in the Peoria Diocese were to St. Patrick, Dwight, 1956; Asst. Diocesan Director, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 1958-1965; Administrator, St. Patrick, Dwight, 1959; Parochial Vicar, Visitation, Kewanee, 1960; Pastor, St. Patrick, Ransom, 1964; St. Patrick, Sheffield, 1968; St. Patrick, Bloomington, 1971; and St. Catherine, Aledo, 1980. His final assignment was to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Silvis in 1983 where he spent the next 13 years and retired in 1996 after 44 years as a parish priest. Father Pat moved to Moline in 1996 and continued to offer his help to churches around the Quad Cities including St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s of Davenport.Father Pat was a great supporter of the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was also an avid walker, and a coin and stamp collector.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral Building Fund.Survivors include his nieces: Cheryl A. (Dan) Donahue, Davenport, and Deborah (Thomas) Cary, Eagle, Colorado; nephews: Patrick E. Thompson, Western, Nebraska, Stephen M. (Jackie) Thompson, Madison, Wisconsin, and John W. (Carrie) Thompson, Denver, Colorado; great-nephews and nieces: Eric Thompson, Kyle Thompson, Kayla (Ben ) Reller, Sean Donahue, Meghan (John) Cornish, Colin Donahue, Ryan Thompson, Ashley Cary, Robyn Cary, Nick Thompson, and Alex Thompson; great-great nephews and nieces: Joseph Thompson, Wyatt Thompson, Camden Cornish, Gracyn Cornish, Hudson Cornish.Father Pat was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Lucille Thompson, and an infant sister, Mary Alice. May they rest in peace.