of Mabelvale, AR

November 17, 1942 - August 5, 2023

Don Michael Thompson, 80, of Mabelvale went to be with the Lord, August 5, 2023. He was born November 17, 1942 in Little Rock to James Walter and Elsie Smith Thompson. Don attended Mabelvale High School and Little Rock University. Don was a master electrician and co-founded Thompson Electric in 1983. Don was still working and did not have any plans to retire.

Don was a veteran who served in the United States Army Reserves Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Training Regiment. He was a marksman and a member of the rifle team.

He was a former appointee of the State Electrical Apprenticeship Committee (SEAC). He was a member of Piney Creek Ducks, Saline Bottoms, lifetime member of the NRA, Sigma Nu alumni and the Muppet Breakfast Club of Bryant's Cracker Barrel.

He had an appreciation for many activities, some of which he considered hobbies. Don spent valuable time with friends and family every day. He enjoyed sporting events, NASCAR, collecting Niloak pottery, antique furniture and light fixtures, brush hogging, operating heavy equipment and vintage Mustang muscle car collecting. He loved the outdoors and hunting wild game, especially ducks and deer. Other pastimes were bird watching in the offseason, planting food plots for his pet deer and taking care of the donkeys. Don enjoyed shopping for the grandkids and attending the grandkid's sporting events. He enjoyed watching westerns, streaming Erin's collegiate volleyball games, the History and Smithsonian channels and viewing exciting action on the game camera footage. He was a part-time barista at any location with a Keurig coffee machine.

For years, Don was involved in the electrical apprenticeship program. Don was adamant about teaching the new apprentices the trade. He loved sharing his knowledge and teaching apprentices and was a mentor to many employees. He had great satisfaction from the projects he had completed in Arkansas and around the country. Starting in the early 1970's, Don was a vital part of the many projects that have been built and developed at the University of Arkansas of Medical Sciences Campus. Including Ed II, BioMed I, Patient Tower and most recently the Radiology Oncology Proton Therapy Center.

Don met his wife, Carolyn, in 1955 at High School and they married after college. Don was one of Carolyn's full-time home caregivers in the final years of her illness.

He never forgot a face. It was often, that wherever he was, he would see someone he knew. Don often shared his lifetime memories and experiences with his family and friends. Don's childhood memories included trips to the Smith Farm in Scott, working in the family's garden, selling produce at the Farmer's Market in downtown North Little Rock or swimming in the Arkansas River with cousins from Rose City. He still spoke about his first paid job that he started at age 15 working for Safeway. He was later a produce manager before he went to trade school. He had wonderful memories from his school years and remained close to his high school friends. He valued all of his family, friends, employees, business associates and the experiences he shared with all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carolyn Hibbs Thompson; brother, Jim Thompson and brother-in-law, James Garvin. Don is survived by three children, Terri, Tracy and Keith (Tracy Isbell); grandchildren, Ethan and Erin; sister, Carol (Homer) Buck; sisters-in-law, Shirley Thompson and Marilyn Hibbs Garvin; brother-in-law, Johnny (Paula) Hibbs and many cousins, nieces, nephews and lifetime friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made directly to UALR Foundation referencing the "Don Thompson Endowed Baseball Scholarship". Send to UALR Foundation, 2801 South University Ave., Little Rock AR 72204-1099.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 11, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the Memorial Service immediately following at 12:00 PM at The Church at Rock Creek, 11500 W. 36th Street, Little Rock AR 72204.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com