NEIL H. THOMPSON

Neil H. Thompson, 81, long time Devils Lake attorney, died early Monday, February 25, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Services for Neil will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Robert Fawcett Auditorium, Lake Region State College, Devils Lake. Pastor Kevin Kaufmann, Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church one hour prior to services. Honorary Bearers will be Neil’s Brother Elks, Shriners, Odd Fellows, Eagles, Friends and Associates. Eulogy written by Dennis Riggin and will be read by Lance Riggin. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty and Patty Cote Neil Hanson Thompson was born in Bismarck, ND on August 20, 1926 to Bert and Hilda (Hanson) Thompson. They family lived in Hazelton, ND where they owned and operated the Hazelton Hardware and Fairway Grocery Store. He graduated from Pillsbury Military Academy High School in Owatonna, MN in 1944. He enlisted in the US navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in the fall of 1946 spending most of his military service on Samar Island in the Philippines. After his military discharge, Neil attended NDSU graduating in 1950 and then returned to Hazelton to assist with the disposal of the family business. On September 3, 1948, Neil was united in marriage to Beryl Jean Schwarz in Fargo, ND. In 1952, he entered law school at the University of North Dakota graduating in 1955 when he was admitted to practice law and has continually practiced since that date. In 1984, Neil and son, Scott R. Thompson, formed the law partnership of Thompson & Thompson. Neil was very active locally in business and social affairs and received the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award and Elk of the Year. He served as Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge 1216 in 1966 and also served as President of the Elks 1216 Board of Trustees when the present lodge building was constructed and served for many years in the Elks State Ritual Committee. He served as Ramsey County State’s Attorney for 17 years from 1961 to 1978 and during this time the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center was planned and built. He served as Chairman of that board and was later Project Director. Neil was very active during the early years with the development of the now Lake Region State College in the planning and construction of the building and served on the Board of Trustees when the college was built. Neil also served as a delegate to the North Dakota Constitutional Convention in 1971-1972. Neil served as President of the Second Judicial Bar Association (now Northeast Judicial District) which he has been a member of since 1955 and has also been a member of the Executive Committee for the North Dakota State Bar Association. He was also on the original board when the North Dakota State Bar Association. He was also on the original board when the North Dakota Trial Lawyers Association was formed, and has continued to be a member thereof. He is a member of many courts, including the North Dakota Courts, U.S. District Court for the State of North Dakota, Federal 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Federal Court of Claims. Neil loved to golf and served for many years as counsel for the Devils Lake Town & Country Club. He was a medalist in one club tournament and second in one championship flight. Neil got a Hole-In-One at the Devils Lake Town & Country Club course on August 22, 1991 on the 9th hole which was 146 yards. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Not only teaching his family about the great outdoors, but also many a young friend of the family who went on to be avid hunters and fishermen themselves. Neil was a member of the Presbyterian Church where he served on the Board of Trustees and as a Ruling Elder, a life member of the Elks, member of the Eagles, American Legion, 40 et 8, VFW, Masonic Bodies, Shrine, Shrine Flag Corps, Jesters and Odd Fellows Lodge. Neil is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beryl Jean Thompson His son, Bradley and wife, Sharon Cline of Devils Lake and grandsons Jon and Kristian; son, David of Devils Lake and granddaughter, Leni of Berlin, Germany; son, Scott R. Thompson and wife Peggy of Devils Lake and grandsons, Ryan and Scott J. “Jake” and wife, Sara and great grandchildren, Isabelle and Isaac Neil all of Devils Lake; daughter, Callie Beth Brorson and husband, Kent and grandchildren, Aanders and Sophie of Duluth, Minnesota. Step-granddaughters, Skye Leedahl and Amber Folkert Neil was preceded in death by his parents; brother, B.W. “Jim” Thompson; sister, Elizabeth; daughter-in-law, Julie M. Thompson.