Louis “Dale” Thompson, 79

Louis “Dale” Thompson born November 25, 1933, in Ironton, Mo., to Louis R. and Verna M. Thompson, died January 4, 2013, in Sedalia, MO, at age 79. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack Thompson of St. Petersburg, FL.

Dale is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Patricia Ann (Stoecker) Thompson, of the home; five children: Lecia Anne Brady of Deerfield Beach, FL; Michelle “Mikki” Johnston of Platte City, MO; Michael Thompson of Lincoln, NE; Susan Thompson of Scottsdale, AZ; and Cathi Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Sue Meiner of Las Vegas, NV; five nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

A graduate of Fredericktown High School, Dale served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and continued serving his country as a member of the Nebraska Air National Guard. Following his time in the Air Force, he attended and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in music performance. Dale then attended graduate school at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and graduated with a master’s degree in music composition. While at UNL, he was a recipient of the Sinfonia Composition Award of the Upsilon chapter of Phi Mu Alpha, and was commissioned by Frank Morrison to write a work for Morrison’s inauguration as governor in the 1960s.
As a music teacher in both Nebraska and Missouri, in the late 1960s, Dale was an assistant band director at University of Central Missouri (Central Missouri State University at the time) and was the staff music arranger for the Marching Mules. His teaching career spanned 26 years.

In the last fifteen years of his life, Dale moved from writing music to writing books. Writing under the pseudonym of Pat Dale, he had 18 fiction novels in publication at the time of his death.

A lifetime fan of Nebraska football and airplanes, many of his free hours over the course of his life were spent enjoying both. He greatly loved both his family and his dogs.
A private family celebration of life will be held. Arrangements made by Rea Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to the Sedalia Animal Shelter, the Salvation Army, or a charity of the giver’s choice.