The family of Olin Thompson, age 85, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Olin Thompson proudly service in the USMC 1953 to 1956. He was a member of the 1st and 3rd Marine Division in Korea. With the 1st Marines he fought in parts of South and North Korea. He was part of our great generation that took part in the “forgotten war”, Korea.
As a member of the 1st and 3rd Marine Division Associations, in 2010 Olin traveled with the group to South Korea to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War
After the military Olin Eugene Thompson was the "larger-than-life" owner of Broadway Lemon Grove Hardware in the 1970s and 80s, with his wife Dortha Mildred (West) Thompson. This was the era of the Old Time Days parades and before the opening of the Home Depot. It was the days of personalized service and buying loose nails by the pound, weighed and dropped in a paper bag to carry home.
Olin and Dortha were important members of the business community. Dortha became a Soroptimist. Olin would become the president of the Chamber of Commerce. Both were involved in the effort to incorporate the City of Lemon Grove.
Olin was a prolific writer, having authored seventeen books. He served terms as president of the San Diego Writers and Editors Guild and president of the San Diego County Fish and Game Commission. After retirement he served as an administrator of Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) in two police agencies.
Dortha took increasingly responsible positions with the Bank of America, retiring as an assistant vice president of operations. She continued her banking career for eight more years as Assistant to the SVP/CFO at Cuyamaca Bank.
During their 54 years of married life, Olin and Dortha traveled extensively, to Europe, Japan, Korea, Canada, Mexico and Hawaii. Dortha died in San Diego on July 2, 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Olin died on November 28, 2020.
Olin is survived by, Daughters: Sandra Blair & Debra Miranda, Grandson: Roy Jones, Sister: Mildred Kirkwood, Nephew: Fred Kirkwood, 4 Grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great-Great Grandchildren
The family is requesting an accompaniment from the mortuary to Miramar National Cemetery.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
NOTE: Please observe the latest COVID-19. Face coverings are required.Time Table for Monday, 22 March 2021:0945 – Stage at East County Mortuary, 374 N. Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
https://goo.gl/maps/83f6EDMr2T33JzPi7 1000 – Mission Briefing
1020 – Flag Line for honorable transfer of Hero to coach
1030 – KSU for accompaniment to Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr., San Diego, CA 92122
https://goo.gl/maps/PNBWdbTecdPmwmxf91100 – ETA at Miramar National Cemetery. Flag Line for transfer of Hero to horse drawn carriage
1130 – Flag Line for Military Honors and Funeral Service
R/C Lorenzo Lizarraga
SoCal PGR Regional Captain619-971-2236
llizarraga@yahoo.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed by the Rid Captain (R/C). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
