ROGER DALE THOMPSON

September 4, 1950 — August 27, 2022

We are saddened to announce the passing of Roger Dale Thompson, 71 years young who lost his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was hospitalized for four months while making an heroic attempt at a double-lung transplant at St. Lukes Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was loved and surrounded by his wife, children and sister.

Roger was born on September 4, 1950 in Bremen, Indiana. He was the son of Marie Nixon of Reno, NV and Eldon Thompson of Plymouth, IN. At the age of 10, he moved with his family to Reno, Nevada where he graduated from Reno High School in 1968.
He joined the Army in 1969 where he was trained as a helicopter pilot. He served in the Republic of Vietnam where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medals (35) as well as other decorations in recognition of his service. The Distinguished Flying Cross is the fourth highest for heroism and the highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement. He was shot down twice.
He was honorably discharged in November 1974 at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. To say that Roger was a patriot would be an understatement. He loved his Country.

Roger had a work ethic like no other. Being the grandson of Romanian immigrants who came and worked hard to provide a good life for their family had a lasting impact on him, informing his work ethic as well as strengthening his tight knit family connections.
Roger loved his family and family reunions. On the year it was his turn to host the famous Solomon reunion, he went all out, turning his home into a massive crawfish feed and providing bayou tours by Bubba Smith. He flew in the U.S. Gulf Coast in support of our energy industry since the 1970s, which is what brought him to Louisiana, including 25 years working for Air Logistics.

Whenever he was offered a position flying anywhere in the world, he took it. While employed with Air Logistics, he worked in Honduras, where he flew for the U.S. State Department, Chile, Kuwait during the massive fires, and many times in Alaska.

After retiring from flying, Roger and his wife Roberta, built a real estate and ship repair operation on the Bayou Teche.

Roger was a straight-forward guy who would lend a hand to anyone willing to meet him halfway, which is to say, he wasn’t about giving a hand-out to make life easy, but he was all in if one were willing to take the help and then help themselves. There are any number of people who can attest to this but you will not find the evidence anywhere as he was not one to bring attention to himself.

Roger is survived by his wife Jeannie, his first wife Sue and their children, Christina Allison (Crocker) of NC, Matthew VanThompson (Sarah) of Washington D.C., Dale Thompson of New Iberia, grandchildren Ashley Allison, Mabon and Gwendolyn VanThompson, sister Sharon Irvin and husband Larry of Reno, NV and their children Joseph, Lizzy and Rachel Irvin, cousins Cindy Edes (DeAnn) and Gentry Edes (Happy) of Orange Co., CA. and numerous cousins in Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents Marie and Eldon, second wife Roberta, niece Adrienne Irvin and cousins Ronald Solomon and Debra Edes (Michael).

There will be a Celebration of Life on October 1st, at 1:00 p.m. at his home in Patterson, LA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in his name.