Edwin "Eddie" James Thompson, LaCrosse resident, passed away Sunday August 7, 2011 at his home after a courageous and long battle with cancer. He was 26. A Celebration of his Life will be Saturday, August 13th at 5:00 pm in the LaCrosse City Park. A potluck dinner will follow at 6:00 in the park. Please dress casual and bring a lawn chair. A Memorial Garden has been planted at the family home and re-pottable container plants are appreciated. Eddie was born July 17, 1985 in Colfax, Washington to Richard and Cheree (Jones) Thompson. He grew up in LaCrosse, Washington and later spent some teen years in Spokane. He enjoyed playing on the Special Olympics teams and especially liked softball and little league baseball. He played saxophone in the LaCrosse band. He was diagnosed with cancer in November 2004. Eddie was very proud of his accomplishments and his G.P.A. of 3.32 when he graduated from the MAP School in Spokane in 2006. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps but his cancer diagnosis kept him from serving. He worked for Joanna Beverages in Spokane and also at the Yokes Food Center there. He loved spending time with his family, going to the Oregon Coast, crabbing along the beach, fishing and camping. He also liked to hunt rattlesnakes with his dad and more recently spent a lot of time studying all the birds around his home and even building birdhouses for them. He was an avid reader and an enthusiastic supporter of the Whitman County Library. He also liked to play video games. Tombstone was his favorite place to visit and he loved westerns, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. He also liked to tour haunted places. Eddie moved back to LaCrosse in 2008 to be with his family. He is survived by his parents Rick and Cheree at home in LaCrosse, sisters Julia (James) Pierzina of Portland, OR and Cheryl (Lyle) Binks of Clackamas, OR; his grandparents Jim and Carolyn Jones and Larry Bauer and his beloved nieces and nephews; Jacquline & Jasmin Pierzina, Jeremiah Pierzina and Alex Binks. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Edwin and Pearl Thompson and his maternal grandmother, Julia Bauer. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to Friends of the LaCrosse Library or to LaCrosse Community Pride or the Friends of Hospice. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.