Jerrold "Jerry" Wayne Thompson, 71, of North Platte, NE passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.  Jerry was born on December 15, 1952 in Grand Island, NE the son of Walter Wayne and Grace (Kamper) Thompson.

Jerry graduated from North Platte high school in 1971 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He was very proud of his Naval service to our country and served on bases in San Diego, CA and Pearl Harbor, HI.  He served on the submarine USS Trout and aboard the USS Ponchatoula in Pearl Harbor.  Upon returning to North Platte, NE from his service he attended the diesel mechanic program at Mid-Plains Community College vocational campus.  He worked for Mid-Plains in the vehicle maintenance department for over 43 years, retiring in 2021.  He was married to Connie Marie Lundvall on March 4, 1978 in Wallace, NE and together they had 2 children.  Jerry was commander of the North Platte American Legion from 2002-2003.  He was an avid NE Cornhusker fan and volleyball fan and was always very generous to a fault with his family and friends.

Jerry was predeceased by his father, Walter "Tommy" Thompson; stepfather, Rev. H.B. Schutte; brother, Timothy Thompson; and brother-in-law, Robert Butterfield.

Those left to cherish Jerry's memory are his mother, Grace Schutte of North Platte; son, Christopher W. Thompson (Samantha) of North Platte; daughter, Jenny M. Schweitzer (Tim) of Gothenburg; grandchildren, Michelle Grant-Thompson, Xander Yates, Dominic Thompson, Lorelli Thompson, Tayden, Trey, Kinlee, and Brecken Schweitzer; sister, Barbara Butterfield of North Platte; brother, Rich Thompson (Mardell) of North Platte; sister-in-law, Tracy Thompson of North Platte; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wreaths Across America project (www.wreathsacrossamerica.org).

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery near Maxwell with Pastor Daniel Ramsey officiating.  The memorial book will be available to sign on Thursday, September 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.