John Douglas Thomson was born on August 8, 1946, to John Forrest and Jessie (Campbell) Thomson in Cherokee, Iowa. He graduated from Quimby High School in Quimby, Iowa with the class of 1964.

On May 29, 1971, John was united in marriage with Cheryl Saxen in Quimby, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Stacie, Mike, and Jana.

In 1969 John and Cheryl moved to Pella where he worked as a machine operator at the Pella Rolscreen Company until his retirement in 2009. Later he worked at Pella Car Care.

On December 28, 1988, John celebrated what he referred to as his "second birthday" when he received a liver transplant at Mayo Clinic. He was proud to be a 25 year transplant survivor.

John was a family man, put others first-self last, everyone's caretaker, and was known for his generous giving. He enjoyed driving and watching wildlife, fishing with grandkids, and pheasant hunting.

John was a charter member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Pella where he served on the church council. He was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, local Food Shelf, and Hope Housing. He was also a member of the Pioneer Cemetery Board.

Those left to cherish his memory are: his wife, Cheryl; his three children: Stacie and Bob Norris of Des Moines, Mike Thomson and his fiancAC. Sara Emerick of San Francisco; and Jana and Jaison Jackson of Newton; his grandchildren: Rachel and Ben Norris, Steven Koele, and Zowe, Cody, Konor, and Makayla Jackson; his sister and her husband, Barbara and Albert "Bub" Sedlock of Hamilton, Iowa; and his niece and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, sister, Connie Samelson, and brother Allen Thomson.

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 12, 2014
Peace Lutheran Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at 2:00 P.M. Friday, April 11, 2014
with family present 5:00-7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Peace Lutheran Church
Pella, Iowa

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

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