Howard Lee Thompson

Howard Lee Thompson 8/29/1937 - 7/10/2022

In the early morning of July 10, 2022, our dad Howard Thompson was reunited with our beloved mother when God welcomed him home.

Howard Lee Thompson was the 5th and youngest child born to Louis and Edna (Burgess) Thompson on his mother's 27th birthday August 29, 1937, in Dillon Montana.

The family lived in Bannack Montana until Howard was 4 years old. From there they moved to East Helena, Anaconda, back to Dillon and in 1951 settled in Anaconda. Howard graduated from Anaconda Senior High School in 1955, spent one year at Western Montana College until eventually joining the United States Army in January 1958. He completed one tour in the service before moving back to Anaconda in December 1960. On his 27th birthday Howard met Mary Denise Astle and on July 24, 1965, they were married at St Paul's Church in Anaconda MT. This union of love was blessed with five daughters.

From an early age Howard's love of music evolved from joining many church choirs to sing Sunday services to being singled out by Sister Gregor of the Anaconda Catholic Community Choir and becoming a solid fixture at the 10:00 am masses. He was self-taught on the guitar purchasing a 1959 Gibson J-47 to which he has played up until this past year. He shared his music and beautiful voice with the community of Anaconda and beyond by almost never turning down a request for a wedding, a funeral or weekend entertainment at various establishments around town. He loved every minute of it.

Howard is survived by his five daughters and their families, Michelle (Fran) Gwin, Susie (Dave) Krueger, Nancy (Mike) Rogers, Jolyn (Kevin) Orrino and Julianne (Tony) Huot.  Grandchildren Jake (Carolina) Orrino, Cory (Chelsie) Orrino, Kailianna (Anthony) McMulloch, Alexis Krueger, Cara (Rex) Lewis, Eleanor Krueger, Riley Rogers, Shelby McNeil (Kaden) Zach (Averielle) Gwin, Sydni Rogers, Taylor Huot, Kristen Gwin and Kaden Huot. Great Grandchildren, Ryan, Aaidyn, Delaney, Luke, Madilyn, and Baby boy Lewis. Brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, Bill (Joyce) Astle, Bodge (Brigid) Astle, Mary Jo Thompson, Gayle Astle, Mary Carol Astle as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Mary Denise, his parents, siblings Chickie Wenger, Ed Thompson, Donna Thompson (infant) and Jeanette Ward.

The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 10:30 am, Holy Family Catholic Church with visitation for family and friends starting one hour before at 9:30am.

Memorial Donations can be made in Howard's name to Anaconda Pintler Hospice, Anaconda Food Bank or the donor’s choice.