Kenneth Cameron Thompson, 87, of Quarry Hill Rd. Hempfield Twp., passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2018, surrounded by loved ones and friends at The Grove.

Ken was born August 10, 1931, to Forrest C. and Hazel M. (Hollen) Thompson in Conneaut Lake. Raised in Hartstown, he enjoyed working alongside his father, who was a self-employed builder. His mother worked at Talon Zipper in Meadville and Keystone Laundry in Greenville.

Ken graduated from Jamestown High School in 1950. He was working at Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad when he was introduced to Vivian Ruth Mowry by his friend and her cousin, Hartford. Their loving marriage of 65 years began April 11, 1953, when they were wed at St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Fredonia.

Called to military duty in 1952, Ken joined the U.S. Army as a Private First Class, rising to the rank of Corporal before his discharge in 1954. Stationed in Fort Lee, Virginia, Ken traveled to France and Germany during the Korean War. He wrote to Vivian nearly every day.

Upon his release from the Army, Ken resumed his work at Bessemer before joining General American Transportation Corporation (GATX), where he was employed as a welder on aluminum tank cars for 20 years. Ken later worked in maintenance at St. Paul’s Homes in Greenville, where he was beloved by cottage residents, until his retirement at age 73.

A talented carpenter and woodworker, Ken was hired by contractors to build houses throughout his career and, along with his father, built a home of his very own. It was in that home where he and Vivian raised their daughters, Colleen and Cheryl, and later welcomed five grandchildren, who called him Papa. Ken also loved spending time in his woodshop, where he made beautiful pieces on his lathe, and working on his tractor. He proudly served his church, Christian Assembly in Greenville, as a member of the board.

Ken is survived by his wife, Vivian; daughters Colleen (Thomas) Sigler of Cranberry Township and Cheryl (Gregory) Beskid of North Huntingdon; grandchildren Megan (Matthew) Monaghan of Columbus, Ohio, Matt (Lanie) Sigler of San Diego, California, Corey (Anne) Beskid of Gambrills, Maryland, and Christopher and Jonathan Beskid of North Huntingdon; and great-grandchild Mila Rose Sigler.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Dale F. and Frank G. Thompson, and his sisters Pearl E. Winkle and Ida Jean Ellis.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Assembly Church, 111 Main St., Greenville, PA 16125.   Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 366-368 S. Main St. Greenville.