Leland Lafayette Thompson, Jr.

Leland Lafayette Thompson, Jr, 88, passed away peacefully December 28, 2021 in West Jordan, Utah. Born in Rexburg, Idaho in 1933 to Leland Lafayette and Edith H. (Parkinson) Thompson, he grew up helping with the family plumbing business. As a teenager he developed a love of aviation and soloed at the age of 17. Leland attended Madison High School where he was the Senior Class President and participated in drama activities. After graduating in 1951 he attended Ricks College for a couple of years. Later in life he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Utah State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado.

His greatest love was flying. As a young Air Force cadet in 1954 he gained a strong and fervent testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His more than 23 year career would offer him many interesting experiences and assignments all over the world. Including a very difficult year (1967-1968) in Vietnam. Leland was a test pilot and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1977 he left flying behind to work as a City Administrator in Rexburg. However that career change would last only one year as Leland’s love of flying pulled him right back into aviation. He flew as a corporate pilot for Northwest Pipeline and enjoyed other contract flying opportunities for 15 more years.

Leland met Patricia Ann Topham in high school and they courted while he was on leave from the Air Force. They married June 28, 1956 in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple. Leland’s Air Force career took their family to many places including Florida, Oregon, Washington, England, Utah, Spain, Nevada, and Idaho. They and their five children enjoyed visiting the family cabin Leland’s father built in Island Park, Idaho. Road Trips across the country were also a favorite, even exploring Europe while stationed overseas. Leland and Pat lived the last several years, splitting their time between their 40+ year home in Fruit Heights, UT and their second home in St George, UT.

Leland developed a love and passion for genealogy documenting his family history including through his extensive picture collection. He served multiple genealogy service missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served as a guide on Temple Square, and also fulfilled a service mission for the Priesthood Department in Salt Lake City. He enjoyed playing chess and golf and not surprisingly, volunteering at the Hill Aerospace Museum.

His legacy will be known for his flying, passion for truth, fairness, integrity, love of country, dedication to genealogy, and his testimony and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. His greatest desire was for his children and descendants to be true and steadfast and to be reunited with his eternal companion Pat who passed away in 2018.

Leland is survived by his siblings: Carol Christensen, Keith (Bev) Thompson and Marilyn (Robert) Moss, and his children and their spouses: Jett (Paula) Thompson, Brett (Patty) Thompson, Janet (Dean) Clark, Jerome (Ann) Thompson, and Lance (Rachel) Thompson; his 20 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for family and close friends will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday January 7, 2022 at the Saratoga Springs Utah Crossroads Stake Center, 2181 Harvest Moon Drive, Saratoga Springs, Utah.  Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Utah Veteran’s Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah,

Services will be streamed live on Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and this obituary page.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to either the LDS Humanitarian Aid fund or the Hill Aerospace Museum.