F J Thomson, Jr.

F J Thomson, Jr., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 30, 2012. He passed away at the age of 92 years, one month, and 4 days in Frederick, Oklahoma. He was born on July 26, 1920, to Frank J, Sr. and Edna Pearl (Gilson) Thomson, in Frederick, Oklahoma. He attended Frederick Schools and graduated from Frederick High School with the class of 1941. He met Joyce Dunn in 1941 at the Lunchbox Café. Later that night they met again at a movie and were together until her death in 2004. Jay and Joyce were united in marriage on October 18, 1942, at her parent's home in rural Tipton, Oklahoma. Jay joined the United States Army Air Corp on November 18, 1942 and served honorably until September 21, 1945. He trained at Sheppard Field, Texas, Ardmore, Oklahoma, Missouri, and North Carolina. He went overseas in February 1944 and served in England, France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, ETO Ribbon with seven Battle Stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was hand-picked to participate in the planning for the use of gliders in the D-Day invasion and the development of the technique for the airborne retrieval of gliders from the battlefield. During his service in the European Theatre of Operations as a crew chief on a C-47, he participated in the invasions of Southern France, Normandy and Belgium. He was a proud World War II veteran and he enjoyed open hanger days with the World War II Airborne Demonstration team. During high school he worked for the United States Post Office. After his return from military service he drove a delivery route truck for Coca-Cola. He delivered bread for Mabry's Bakery and Mead's Bread Company until his retirement. He was baptized April 12, 1931, at the First Baptist Church. He was ordained as a deacon in the Church over fifty years ago and served as an active member until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife: Joyce Thomson, on November 8, 2004, three brothers: Lee Ro (Leo), Roy, and Dee P, two sisters: an infant and Artie Nicholson; three nephews: Gary Nicholson, Mike and Tim Dunn, one sister-in-law and three brothers-in-law. He is survived by two sons: Terry Jay Thomson, of Thomas, Oklahoma, and Ken Alan Thomson and wife Catherine, of West Dundee, Illinois; one daughter: Sandra Jeanne (Thomson) Bartlett and husband Robert, of Glen Ridge, New Jersey; one sister: Irma Endres, of Allen Park, Michigan; six grandchildren: Kellyn Kathryn Bartlett, of San Diego, California, Bryna Shea Bartlett, of Verona, New Jersey, Phillip Jay Thomson and wife Julie, of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jeremy Ray Thomson and wife Lacy, of Newalla, Oklahoma, Justin Alan Thomson and wife Mandy, of Frederick, Oklahoma, and Amanda Marie Thomson, of Culver City, California; five great grandchildren: Trey Parker Ray Thomson, Ethan Tyler Thomson, Alex Phillips, Gia Marie Thomson, and T J Thomson; sisters-in-law: Mrs. Bill (Peggy) Dunn, of Tipton, Oklahoma and Mrs. Audra Martin and husband Dee of Plano, Texas, and 13 nieces and nephews.