Milton Lavar Thompson

Milton Lavar Thompson, 87, formerly of Basalt, died July 2, 2007 at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello.

Lavar was born April 29, 1919 in Basalt to Hobert Albert Thompson and Margaret Madsen.  He attended school in Basalt.  The family spent the spring and summer dry farming in the hills 20 miles east of Basalt in Spring Creek, Cedar Creek and surrounding area.  In the fall the family would move back to Basalt for the children to attend school.  He went to Firth High School until halfway through his sophomore year when he had to drop out to help support the family in the beet fields and in the potatoes. 

He continued helping farmers in the area with their crops and hay until he entered the service in February, 1942.  He trained as a radar operator and served with Company C 580th Signal Air Warning Battalion in Oahu, Hawaii and as a mechanic on B-24’s and B-26’s.  After returning from the Army, with an honorable discharge, he attended trade school for electricity in Pocatello.

Lavar worked in Island Park at a sawmill, and his later years for Crofts Potato Inc. and Idaho Supreme.

October 2, 2002, Lavar entered the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello, where he remained until his death.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Lavar never married.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and all his brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday July 5th at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley. The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:30 till 1:40 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Wilford Cemetery with Military Rites by the St. Anthony American Legion and VFW.