Delmus Royal Thompson
February 13, 1918 — November 2, 2020
Delmus Royal Thompson
Delmus Royal Thompson passed away on November 2, 2020 at the age of 102, surrounded by loved ones at home. Delmus was born on February 13th and was the 13th child of 14 siblings. Delmus married Elna Mousley on September 15, 1939 and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 15, 1979. Delmus and Elna had 1 child Byron (Shauna) Thompson, five grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild. Elna passed away January 2nd, 1987. When Delmus was 70 years old he married Ina Marie (Betty) March 26th, 1988 and gained 2 daughters Betty Sue (Don) Laughlin, Ann (Richard) Eagar, and 1 son Arthur (Kris) Cleveland. With Ina Marie he added 14 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Delmus and Ina Marie were married for 30 years. Ina Marie passed away July 23, 2018.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elna Mousley and his second wife, Ina Marie (Betty) Reed Cleveland, his parents Neils Peterson Thompson and Johannah Mathilda Melchersson Larson Thompson, and 13 brothers and sisters, Mabel, Siegfred, Florence, Herman, Viola, Edith, Rose, Ruth, Clarence, Melvin, Doloras, Lucille, and Marvin, 1 stepdaughter, Ann Eagar, and 1 granddaughter, Jana Lee Thompson.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the viewing, funeral service and burial will be a private immediate family gathering.
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Delmus Royal Thompson was born in 1918 in Midvale, Utah. He was the thirteenth child born to Neils Peterson Thompson and Johannah Mathilda Melchersson Larson Thompson. Outstanding memories: Del is proud of his Danish and Swedish heritage. His mother was from Sweden and his father was from Denmark. Swedish was spoken in his home and his mother taught all her children to play the mouth organ (harmonica). Del has entertained children, grandchildren, great and great great-grandchildren with his Swedish tunes played on the harmonica. He says there was always music, fun, laughter and love in his home. When Del was seven years old he went to live with an older sister, Florence. She and her husband had two little girls and wanted a boy, so Del lived with them until he was seventeen. This was done to help his parents with their finances. When Del moved to his sister's home, he also changed schools from Midvale to Murray, Utah. His first day as a second grader at his new school also ended up being his first fist fight. He says a third grader came up to him and said, "All the new kids at school here have to fight me!" After school, Del went with the rest of the kids to a field by the school and the two boys lined up with their fists up, ready for the fight. Suddenly, a kid behind Del shoved him into the bully and his fist connected with the boy's nose. The boy started to cry, saying "You bloodied my nose!" and the fight was over, with Del the winner. He says no one had any more trouble from that boy! Del learned early in life to be a hard worker. When he was ten years old, his nephew, who was twelve years old, talked him into trying to get a job picking beans. The man doing the hiring said they only hired kids twelve or older and that Del didn't look old enough. At that point, his nephew spoke up and said, "He is old enough and I should know because he's my uncle!" Del always gets a kick out of telling that story. When Del was sixteen years old, he bought his first car, a Model T Ford, for $8.00. He fixed the back up so he could load it up with produce to sell, to help his family during the Depression. Only a year later, he joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in Escalante, Utah and drove a truck for about five months. The CCC provided Del and the other young men with shelter, clothing and food. He was paid $30 a month and sent $25 home to help his family. After those five months, he was given a certificate stating he had been driving a truck for the CCC. With this certificate, he was able to get a job with a contractor who was building a road from Bluffdale, Utah to Camp Williams. Del says after that, he and his brother went every day for a week to the Brigham Copper Mines, trying to find employment. Their persistence paid off and they were hired to pour concrete at $3.50 a day. Del worked twelve hours a day until the project was finished. After that job, Del was hired as a truck driver by Utah Construction to help build the power plant in Magna, Utah. This job paid $8.00 a day. He had been working as a carpenter's assistant there for several months when the superintendent told Del he thought he would be a good carpenter. After a visit from a Representative from the Carpenter's Union, Del started as a third-year apprentice and after three years of night school, became a journeyman carpenter. Del had begun his life-long career as a carpenter and as a member of the Utah Carpenter's Local Union #184. In 2018, Del was recognized by the Utah Carpenter's Union for being a member for seventy-six years. Del's reputation as a master carpenter grew and he became well known as an honorable man with the expertise to get the job done right. For thirty-five years, he worked for Culp Construction as a superintendent over many projects. He says his favorite project and perhaps the one he is most proud of is the Salt Lake City Library (now The Leonardo Museum). He also was the Superintendent over the Student Union Building at Weber State College, Grantsville High School and Del (right) consulting with an architect, 1958 gymnasium, American Fork High School, gym and swimming pool, the Salt Lake City Fire Station on 2nd South, the Cottonwood Hospital and the Little America Hotel on Main Street in Salt Lake City. Del has also supervised the construction of fifty homes in Bountiful, fifty homes in the Fort Union area and several homes near the University of Utah. Earl Holding, the owner of Sinclair Oil Corporation, the Grand America Hotels and Resorts, ski resorts in Sun Valley Idaho and Snowbasin, near Ogden Utah, told Culp Construction they would not have to bid any more jobs for him, if they had Del Thompson as Superintendent! When Del was building the road to Camp Williams, he happened to stop at a little café in Bluffdale to buy a hamburger and met a cute waitress, Elna Mousley, who was filling in that day for someone else. He asked her out, they started dating and in 1939 they were married. On their fortieth wedding anniversary, they were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Del and Elna had one son. Del started bowling when he worked for Culp Construction, and then Elna decided she wanted to try bowling too. They turned out to both be great bowlers and between the two of them won many trophies. Del remembers when Elna made 800 points in three games and won both the high game and high series. They also enjoyed camping and fishing together. Del and Elna enjoyed working in the Jordan River Temple with her doing sealings. Using his own design, Del built a camper for his truck. Everywhere they went camping people came over to see his homemade camper! That wasn't the first or the last of his inventions. Del is very creative and skilled at whatever he does. He built his own home and the home of his son. He says it cost $3000 in 1947 to build his home and he did most of the labor. When Elna was diagnosed with cancer, Del retired and took care of all of her needs. He could make a great rice pudding and hamburger casserole. Del lovingly cared for his sweetheart, Elna until her death in 1987. Del met his second wife, Ina Marie "Betty" Reed Cleveland, on a blind date, set up by his daughter-in-law Shauna and Betty's daughter, Ann. The first date was a great success, as they laughed and talked together. So, after falling in love all over again at age seventy they were married in 1988. From this marriage, Del gained two daughters and a son, along with their families. Del and Betty, now both 100, have had thirty wonderful years together. Del introduced Betty to camping and fishing and they spent many happy days at various lakes and reservoirs in Utah. There have been many trips throughout the United States, visiting extended family and enjoying all the grandchildren. Best of all, they have traveled the world together and have been on many cruises. They've been to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Austria, Hungary, Canada, Mexico, many Caribbean Islands, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and the Greek Isles. Del says that he couldn't have had any better wives and that he loves them both. Del and Betty still hold hands and enjoy sitting on the outdoor swing together. Every night, without fail, Del walks around their bed to give Betty a goodnight kiss as he tells her he loves her. Del believes the secret to longevity is to always keep active and have faith in God. Descendants: Four children, nineteen grandchildren, fifty-two great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
To view a video recording of the services, please go to:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2732300717029218
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elna Mousley and his second wife, Ina Marie (Betty) Reed Cleveland, his parents Neils Peterson Thompson and Johannah Mathilda Melchersson Larson Thompson, and 13 brothers and sisters, Mabel, Siegfred, Florence, Herman, Viola, Edith, Rose, Ruth, Clarence, Melvin, Doloras, Lucille, and Marvin, 1 stepdaughter, Ann Eagar, and 1 granddaughter, Jana Lee Thompson.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the viewing, funeral service and burial will be a private immediate family gathering.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Delmus Royal Thompson was born in 1918 in Midvale, Utah. He was the thirteenth child born to Neils Peterson Thompson and Johannah Mathilda Melchersson Larson Thompson. Outstanding memories: Del is proud of his Danish and Swedish heritage. His mother was from Sweden and his father was from Denmark. Swedish was spoken in his home and his mother taught all her children to play the mouth organ (harmonica). Del has entertained children, grandchildren, great and great great-grandchildren with his Swedish tunes played on the harmonica. He says there was always music, fun, laughter and love in his home. When Del was seven years old he went to live with an older sister, Florence. She and her husband had two little girls and wanted a boy, so Del lived with them until he was seventeen. This was done to help his parents with their finances. When Del moved to his sister's home, he also changed schools from Midvale to Murray, Utah. His first day as a second grader at his new school also ended up being his first fist fight. He says a third grader came up to him and said, "All the new kids at school here have to fight me!" After school, Del went with the rest of the kids to a field by the school and the two boys lined up with their fists up, ready for the fight. Suddenly, a kid behind Del shoved him into the bully and his fist connected with the boy's nose. The boy started to cry, saying "You bloodied my nose!" and the fight was over, with Del the winner. He says no one had any more trouble from that boy! Del learned early in life to be a hard worker. When he was ten years old, his nephew, who was twelve years old, talked him into trying to get a job picking beans. The man doing the hiring said they only hired kids twelve or older and that Del didn't look old enough. At that point, his nephew spoke up and said, "He is old enough and I should know because he's my uncle!" Del always gets a kick out of telling that story. When Del was sixteen years old, he bought his first car, a Model T Ford, for $8.00. He fixed the back up so he could load it up with produce to sell, to help his family during the Depression. Only a year later, he joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in Escalante, Utah and drove a truck for about five months. The CCC provided Del and the other young men with shelter, clothing and food. He was paid $30 a month and sent $25 home to help his family. After those five months, he was given a certificate stating he had been driving a truck for the CCC. With this certificate, he was able to get a job with a contractor who was building a road from Bluffdale, Utah to Camp Williams. Del says after that, he and his brother went every day for a week to the Brigham Copper Mines, trying to find employment. Their persistence paid off and they were hired to pour concrete at $3.50 a day. Del worked twelve hours a day until the project was finished. After that job, Del was hired as a truck driver by Utah Construction to help build the power plant in Magna, Utah. This job paid $8.00 a day. He had been working as a carpenter's assistant there for several months when the superintendent told Del he thought he would be a good carpenter. After a visit from a Representative from the Carpenter's Union, Del started as a third-year apprentice and after three years of night school, became a journeyman carpenter. Del had begun his life-long career as a carpenter and as a member of the Utah Carpenter's Local Union #184. In 2018, Del was recognized by the Utah Carpenter's Union for being a member for seventy-six years. Del's reputation as a master carpenter grew and he became well known as an honorable man with the expertise to get the job done right. For thirty-five years, he worked for Culp Construction as a superintendent over many projects. He says his favorite project and perhaps the one he is most proud of is the Salt Lake City Library (now The Leonardo Museum). He also was the Superintendent over the Student Union Building at Weber State College, Grantsville High School and Del (right) consulting with an architect, 1958 gymnasium, American Fork High School, gym and swimming pool, the Salt Lake City Fire Station on 2nd South, the Cottonwood Hospital and the Little America Hotel on Main Street in Salt Lake City. Del has also supervised the construction of fifty homes in Bountiful, fifty homes in the Fort Union area and several homes near the University of Utah. Earl Holding, the owner of Sinclair Oil Corporation, the Grand America Hotels and Resorts, ski resorts in Sun Valley Idaho and Snowbasin, near Ogden Utah, told Culp Construction they would not have to bid any more jobs for him, if they had Del Thompson as Superintendent! When Del was building the road to Camp Williams, he happened to stop at a little café in Bluffdale to buy a hamburger and met a cute waitress, Elna Mousley, who was filling in that day for someone else. He asked her out, they started dating and in 1939 they were married. On their fortieth wedding anniversary, they were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Del and Elna had one son. Del started bowling when he worked for Culp Construction, and then Elna decided she wanted to try bowling too. They turned out to both be great bowlers and between the two of them won many trophies. Del remembers when Elna made 800 points in three games and won both the high game and high series. They also enjoyed camping and fishing together. Del and Elna enjoyed working in the Jordan River Temple with her doing sealings. Using his own design, Del built a camper for his truck. Everywhere they went camping people came over to see his homemade camper! That wasn't the first or the last of his inventions. Del is very creative and skilled at whatever he does. He built his own home and the home of his son. He says it cost $3000 in 1947 to build his home and he did most of the labor. When Elna was diagnosed with cancer, Del retired and took care of all of her needs. He could make a great rice pudding and hamburger casserole. Del lovingly cared for his sweetheart, Elna until her death in 1987. Del met his second wife, Ina Marie "Betty" Reed Cleveland, on a blind date, set up by his daughter-in-law Shauna and Betty's daughter, Ann. The first date was a great success, as they laughed and talked together. So, after falling in love all over again at age seventy they were married in 1988. From this marriage, Del gained two daughters and a son, along with their families. Del and Betty, now both 100, have had thirty wonderful years together. Del introduced Betty to camping and fishing and they spent many happy days at various lakes and reservoirs in Utah. There have been many trips throughout the United States, visiting extended family and enjoying all the grandchildren. Best of all, they have traveled the world together and have been on many cruises. They've been to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Austria, Hungary, Canada, Mexico, many Caribbean Islands, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and the Greek Isles. Del says that he couldn't have had any better wives and that he loves them both. Del and Betty still hold hands and enjoy sitting on the outdoor swing together. Every night, without fail, Del walks around their bed to give Betty a goodnight kiss as he tells her he loves her. Del believes the secret to longevity is to always keep active and have faith in God. Descendants: Four children, nineteen grandchildren, fifty-two great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
To view a video recording of the services, please go to:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2732300717029218
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