Douglas Lee Thompson

Douglas Lee Thompson was born to Cora Mae (Lewis) and James Monroe Thompson on January 12, 1945 in Portland, OR and passed surrounded by many loving family members and a holy presence, in the early morning hours of May 13, 2023 at his home in Springfield, CO.  James and Cora Mae moved to Springfield O and reared their children up in the restaurant business.  Doug continued his father’s legacy, took great pride in his kitchen creations and loved serving Baca County residents out of the two restaurants that he owned over a span of 25+ years. He worked very hard to provide for his wife and business partner, Dorothy, and children, Pat, Michelle, and Chris.  He gave selflessly and without complaint and loved his family tremendously.

Doug enjoyed helping his friends during wheat harvest and performing ranch work on the side.  He loved life, never met a stranger, was a jokester and great story teller.  He was a loyal husband and adored his parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws and especially his grandchildren and remained very close to all of his family. One of his happiest moments later in life was reuniting with his son, Michael.  This reunion was shortly after losing his beloved Dorothy in 2014.  Later, he would soon find love and companionship in a wonderful retired nurse, Dottie Woodhouse.

Doug and Dottie took great pride in chaperoning local youth to church and serving as grand examples of Christ’s love.  Doug proudly attended three different churches in Springfield, and always encouraged others, even when he was at his weakest while battling lymphoma for the past year and a half.  After winning several ribbons for gardening in last year’s county fair, he and Dottie passed them along to the kids in church for being winners in their own right.  When people offered prayers to Doug, he offered to pray for them instead.

Doug leaves to mourn his earthly passing, wife Dottie of the family home; children Michael (Melly) Belk of Cordova, TN; Pat (Julie) Thompson of Springfield; Michelle (Michael) Morgan of La Veta; Christopher (Mickele) Thompson of Salida; JA Woodhouse of Springfield; and bonus son, Gunny Pagnotta of Rye; brothers Gary (Arlis) Thompson and Joann (Gerald) Gerber of Springfield; and Janet (Koko) Zamora of Thermopolis, WY;  Doug’s adored grandchildren who lovingly called him “Tata” or “Dougie” are Shyanne, Kyle, Corben, River, Holden, Bryce, Coltin, Maddie, Taylor, and Parker; many nieces and nephews and local children who adored him.

Loved ones Doug has joined in heaven are wife and mother of his children, Dorothy; parents James and  Cora Mae; brothers James “Jimmy” and Howard “Dickie”; special nephew Michael; and in-laws John and Josephine Goff, Patsy Packard and Trudy Leonard.

Doug was a devoted husband, a warm and loving dad.

And as a restaurant chef, he wasn’t half bad.

Proprietor of the King’s Table, and then the Main Café,

You’d see him up before daylight each and every day.

Back breaking work was nothing new to Doug,

There was food prep, pie making, and always coffee in the mug.

Oh how he cherished his coffee time with many of you,

During bible study and prayer, he cultivated a joke or two.

An honorable fisherman, turned fisher of men,

Doug once caught a state record 11 pound drum!

He was such a natural at casting a line,

He reeled many folks into Jesus, time after time.

Doug loved excitement and raced dirt bikes.

His Purgatory River Run mixed danger and delight.

He won many trophies then taught his kids to ride.

Through life’s spills and thrills, he was always at their side.

Doug’s wife, Dorothy, was his first ride or die,

Their four wonderful children were his greatest source of pride.

Dorothy left this earth too soon, breaking his heart in pieces.

During his search for peace and comfort, Doug grew closer to Jesus.

Jesus opened his heart wide to a new companion and friend,

That lovely person is Dottie, who was with him until the end.

Well known for acts of kindness, Doug and Dottie were soldiers for Christ,

Bussing kids to church, building bikes for youth

They bled compassion with hearts of sacrifice.

Doug will be sorely missed by everyone he knew, amen?

But today is not goodbye, rather see you again my friend.