Lawrence "Larry" Emmett Thompson

Lawrence Emmett Thompson, of Elgin passed away Wednesday morning, September 9, 2026 at his home on Gordon Creek Road at the age of 93.

Larry as he was best known was born on May 11, 1933 in La Grande, the son of Emmett Carroll and Eva Mae (Rollins) Thompson. He was a lifetime resident of Elgin and grew up on the Thompson homestead on Cricket Flat. He began driving farm truck hauling logs at age 13. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Korean War. He became an excellent marksman and was invited to join the National Rifle and Pistol Team with which he traveled significantly. After his honorable discharge he resumed driving log truck which he continued for several more years before buying his own truck in the 1970's.

Larry was married to Betty Louise Follett on her birthday March 8, 1956 in Elgin.

Larry enjoyed playing his guitar and singing, especially in his own band "Larry Thompson and the Rounders". He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. For many years he traveled the rodeo circuit as a clown with his bear "Yogi" and his white mule "Durwood".  He personally trained them both to perform with him in his rodeo specialty acts.

Relatives who remain are his children and their spouses, Claudia & Jack Fellows of Milton-Freewater, Arlene & Rex Culver of Milton-Freewater, Rex & Jan Thompson of Elgin, Toni & Gary Lathrop of Elgin; eight grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; 

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, Peggy Kennedy, Barbara "Bobbi" Horn, Virginia "Tobie" Williams, Dixie Stanton, his wife of 66 years Betty, a grandson Todd Culver and a great-grandbaby Kael Lathrop.

Contributions in memory of Lawrence Thompson may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org

Larry will be laid to rest with his wife at the Elgin Cemetery.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00 at the Elgin Community Center, 260 N. 10th Avenue, Elgin.