Lester (Les) Thompson, Jr.

Lester (Les) Thompson, Jr., 95 of Sun City passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 20th. He was born in Seattle, WA the son of Krissie and Lester Thompson. His happy 70 year marriage to Rose Mary ended with her death in 2014.

Les was an artist/illustrator extraordinaire. At the age of 12 he had a business teaching art, in high school he won numerous awards and was honored with a scholarship at Art Students League New York City of which he was a life member.

During WWII he was a marine artist. While his background was in fine arts, he became a fashion illustrator for 40 years, 5 years in California and 35 years in New York City. While in NYC Les became a member of the Society of Illustrators and served on their Executive Board, as well as on the Executive Board of the Graphic Artists Guild, in its infancy.

Retiring from illustration, Les went full time into accepting portrait commissions, after that he then painted chiefly what he found most intriguing.

When Les and Rose Mary moved to Sun City they were active in Square Dancing, Round Dancing, Ballroom Dancing, Bocci, and Tennis. Les taught art classes and exhibited his art work in the Sun City Annual Art Show. His art work has also been exhibited at the Seattle Art Museum and the de Young Museum of Art in San Francisco.

Les was extremely proud of his involvement in helping to sustain the Mission Church of the Good Shepherd in Sharp Park, CA (now Pacifica, CA). He was instrumental in organizing the Men’s Club, now the Holy Name Society with the goal of raising funds to construct a permanent church. In September 1953 the new church was completed and consecrated. Les continued his involvement in each church he and Rose Mary belonged to. Les and Rose Mary were very active members at St. Gregory the Great as ushers and greeters for many years.

Les is survived by his 4 children: Les III (Rosemary) of NJ, Linda Duffy (Mark) of CT, Maureen Coykendall (Rick) of IL, and Deena Kriney (Todd) of Hilton Head Island. Also surviving Les are 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, October 5, 2018 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 31 Saint Gregory Drive, Bluffton, SC 29909 with a reception following at St. Andrew Hall, 220 Pinckney Colony Road, Bluffton, SC 29909.

Burial will take place at 2:00 PM at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church columbarium, 45 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.

In place of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.