Obituary of Knowlen Benjamin Thompson

Knowlen Benjamin Thompson passed away March 12, 2020. He was born July 31, 1927, son of late Hattie Hicks Thompson and Benjamin Edward Thompson. He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Lee Baker Thompson; two sons Kenneth Brooks Thompson and Brian Keith Thompson; two brothers Harold Thompson and James Thompson; five sisters Helen Thompson, Edsel Vance, Wilma Bunner VanGilder, Margie McCray Sturm and Doris Shaffer; two nephews Arthur Vance and Larry McCray and a niece Laura Vance Coulson, He is survived by a son Roger Lee Thompson and his wife Diana of Fairmont, WV; two daughters-in-laws Karen Thompson and Jeanette Thompson; three nephews Charles M. Bunner and his wife Mary, Benjamin “Ed” Bunner, and David Shaffer and four nieces Deloris Bunner Suppa and her husband Bob, Catherine Shaffer Turner and her husband Jim, Debbie Thompson Stottlemire and her husband Ron, and Patricia Thompson and her husband Jim Carreiro. Except for approximately three years in Salinas, CA in the early 1930’s, Knowlen grew up on the East Side of Fairmont. In 1943, at the age of sixteen he joined the United States Navy and served in Guam. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1946, he returned to Fairmont and became an employee of Sharon Steel. He enjoyed being in the outdoors hunting and the fellowship with friends of bowling. He was loved by his family and referred by “Uncle Node” or “Uncle Knowlen” by his nephews and nieces. Our dear father and grandfather deserves a beautiful tribute. However, we appreciate in this unknown time with the COVID-19 pandemic that attending the service may not be in your best health interest. Please be with us in prayer. Should you be able to celebrate in his life, a Gathering will be held at Ford Funeral Home, R.C. Jones Chapel, 1410 Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV on Friday from 10:00 AM – noon. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2020 at noon with Pastor Bill Preston presiding. The interment will follow in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Fairmont, WV. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com. The Thompson family has entrusted the care and arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, R.C. Jones Chapel, 1410 Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV.