Samuel Thompson

Illustrious Samuel Joseph Thompson, 33rd, of Indianapolis, died Saturday, January 19, 2013; he was 74. Sam was born August 1, 1938 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Warren C. and Helen G. Stewart Thompson. After graduating from Wiley High School went on to have a very successful career of which he spent the last 25 years as a food broker working beside his wife every day at Thompson Marketing. Sam's journey in Masonry began at a very young age when he became active in the Terre Haute Chapter Order of DeMolay as a teenager. Those early experiences began a remarkable fraternal way of life that Sam enjoyed for the next six decades. He introduced hundreds of young men to Freemasonry, believed in them, supported them, and helped them discover all the fraternity had to offer. Being a Mason was truly a way of life for Sam; it forged life-long friendships that sustained Sam until he was called home to the celestial lodge above this past Saturday. Although he has now laid down his "working tools" of this life and his absence will leave a void in the lives of many, his influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire Masons for generations to come. Sam was raised a Master Mason June 4, 1966 in Hosbrook Lodge No. 473; he continued to become a Past Master of Zion Lodge No.197 and Charles F. Frank Lodge No. 760 in Zionsville; he currently enjoys membership at Calvin W. Prather Lodge No. 717 in Indianapolis, and he was a former member of Hosbrook Chapter No. 284 Order of the Eastern Star. Sam held additional fraternal membership in Prather York Rite Bodies; and he was a past Camaxtli of Teocalli 500 in the Order of Quetzalcoatl. Sam was very active at Murat Shrine where he was a member of the Police Club, Past President of the Mobil Nobles, Past President of the VCM, Past President of the Horse Patrol, Past President of the Great Lakes Shrine Horse Patrol, Past President of the International Shrine Horse Patrol, and Past President of the Gatlin Gun Club. Sam showed hundreds of men further light in Masonry by bringing them to membership in the Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis. He willingly gave countless hours promoting its value, assisting in degree work, and preparing the degree actors by serving as Chairman of the Make-Up Committee for the annual Reunions and Convocations. Sam's dedication and commitment to the Valley of Indianapolis was recognized by the fraternity when he was crowned an Honorary 33rd degree Mason in 2005 at Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition to his giving fraternal spirit, Sam was an ordained minister and presided over many weddings acting as such. Sam is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 29 years, Fran; his daughter, Marcie Hensel; his mother, Helen Thompson; his sisters, Bev Miller and Carolyne Marchbanks; his step-daughters, Kim Dechert and Wendy King; his step-son, Robert Walker; and his 12 grandchildren. Sam was preceded in death by his father, Warren C. Thompson; and his brother, Warren W. Thompson. Visitation will be from 10 am to 2 pm, Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Auditorium, 650 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 with a Masonic Funeral Service and Honorary 33rd degree Mason Tribute beginning at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, Sam's family encourages memorial contributions be directed to Shriners Children's Hospitals C/O Murat Shrine Temple, 510 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Zionsville. You are invited to offer your condolences, share your memories, or view a video tribute of Sam's life at www.flannerbuchanan.com