“Ron”

November 13, 1949 – March 15, 2026 Ron was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Dorothy Inez Burnett and Emory Sandres Thompson. Ron and his family moved frequently during his early years.

In 1960 their permanent residence became Santa Maria, California when Ron was in 5th grade. Ron attended Santa Maria High School and was a band member playing the trombone. He graduated from Santa Maria High in 1967.

He enlisted in the Airforce at Vandenburg AFB on April 18, 1968. He served in Vietnam as a Munitions Specialist and Explosive Operator. He re-enlisted on June 22, 1971. Upon his Honorable Discharge on August 4, 1972, he was a Sgt, E-4.

During his time in the military, he married and had two daughters. Upon his discharge he and his family moved to Morristown, Tennessee where he worked for his uncle, Lloyd Burnett, at the Burnett Produce Company. In 1974 he returned to California with his daughters following a divorce.

He worked for Piper Aircraft is Santa Maria, California and attended Allen Hancock Junior College where he received two AA Degrees as well as his Real Estate License.

In the mid 1980’s he moved back to Morristown, Tennessee where he lived of the rest of his life.

Ron passed away in Great Falls, Montana after an extended stay in the Montana State Hospital due to becoming lost/confused when he was trying to return to Tennessee from a trip to California.

Ron is survived by his daughters, Raquel Thompson, and Cassandra Thompson Miller and her husband Christopher Miller; his grandchildren, Alex Reynoldds, Zachary Reynolds, Amanda Miller Turner and her spouse Michael Turner and Brandon Miller and hie spouse Mary Grace Miller; and his great-grandchildren Aria, Liam, Noan and Luke Turner; his sister Sandra Filkowski and her husband Walter Filkowski; his brother David Thompson and other extended family members and loved ones.

A grave side funeral service will be held on June 5, 2026 at the Martha Sunderland Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.

Condolences for the family can be submitted to Sandra Filkowski at sfilkowski@ comcast.net.