Brian Thompson, 70, of Grinnell, entered heaven's gates on Monday, July 3, 2023, as he was on his daily bike ride.
A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 10, at Calvary Baptist Church in Grinnell. Interment was in Bethel Cemetery north of Lynnville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Calvary Baptist Church or to Iowa Regular Baptist Camp and mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Brian’s family online at www.smithfh.com. Brian gave the gift of life to over 50 people by organ and tissue donation through Iowa Donor Network.
Brian Howard Thompson was born to Howard and Nedra Thompson on May 8, 1953, in Grinnell. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1971. Brian was united in marriage to Teresa Calvin on Sept. 22,1972. They were blessed with three daughters: Karie, Jody, and Sara. Brian worked for DeLong's Sportswear from 1972-1986. In 1986, Brian started work at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance and was there until 2018 when he retired.
Brian was a godly man who was quietly and steadfastly loving and serving the Lord. He was well known to put the needs of others ahead of his own. He was a Sunday school teacher, deacon, youth leader, and Awana leader at Calvary Baptist Church. He was the biggest cheerleader for his grandkids' activities. Every summer, he took his whole family to Iowa Regular Baptist Camp for a fun-filled week. He loved to play board games and cards, being the go-to scorekeeper, and was an avid Hawkeye fan. He was a great fix-it man who was only ever a phone call away. He will be remembered as a faithful servant of God who loved his family dearly.
Brian is survived by his wife Teresa; daughters Karie (Nathan) Smith of Marshfield, WI, Jody (Aaron) Margene of Birmingham, AL, and Sara (Brian) Fincham of Ankeny; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters Debbie (Ed) Buck, Melinda Kaisand, Jolene (Steve) Petersen, and Susan (Larry) Cole; one brother Bruce (Sharon) Thompson; sisters-in-law Sharon (Rod) Boggess and Gina (Torey) Defalco; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Doris and Leroy Calvin; brother-in-law Earl Kaisand; two nephews; and a great niece.