OLAND DALE THOMPSON Feb. 22, 1943 – May 15, 2021

Oland (Dale) Thompson, 78, of Los Alamos, NM, passed away after a short illness on May 15, 2021 with family by his side.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Oland Lay and Rosie Klechka Thompson, and his sister Barbara Sinclair.

Dale was born in Houston, TX and graduated from Sam Houston High School in Houston in 1961. He graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. Years later, he also obtained a master’s degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico.

He served in the U.S. Navy from June 1966 to August 1970, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, and was proud to have served aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. Following his time in the Navy, Dale interned with NASA during the Apollo program.

He spent most of his career working as an engineer for Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM beginning in 1974 and retiring in 1993. During his time at the Lab, he had many jobs including radioactive waste treatment plant supervisor, criticality safety engineer, audit compliance manager, and he especially enjoyed working on a project known as Star Wars. 

Dale also owned his own businesses (Thermstat, Inc and Output Dynamics, Inc) where he produced metal parts using computerized machines for use in the propane and natural gas industry, which he continued after his retirement from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

After retirement, he was an employee for many years at Metzger’s Do It Best in Los Alamos, where his customers appreciated his friendly and helpful service.

Dale belonged to the Pajarito Lodge #66 AF&AM, where he was a Master Mason and Worshipful Master of the Lodge (1984); 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Santa Fe Consistory; Past Patron of Los Alamos Chapter #63 Order of the Eastern Star (1982, 1985, 1996 & 2004); the Kiwanis Club, the Laboratory Retiree Group serving as President, and the Los Alamos Senior Center, all in Los Alamos. He was also a member of the University of Texas alumni association.

When he was not working, Dale enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, traveling, and storytelling. He loved working with and mentoring children and was a youth director at the First United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas and Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was also an avid supporter of the Los Alamos and New Mexico Chapters of DeMolay and International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Dale leaves behind his longtime partner, Sheila Girard; sons, Christopher Thompson (Susan) of Palestine, TX and Michael Thompson (Natalie) of Elkhart, TX; and daughter Lara Garman (Tim) of San Diego, CA; five grandchildren, Erica Palmer (Steven), Allyson Peters (Luke), Bryan Thompson (Taylor), Luke Boykin, and Nation Thompson; and three great-grandchildren.

Dale was a highly energetic, kind, and honest individual who was loved by his family and many friends, and he will be dearly missed.

Church Services for Dale will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 715 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos on Monday, May 24th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Los Alamos Chapter #63, O.E.S. will conduct the Funeral Service; grave side service to follow at Guaje Pines Cemetery, Los Alamos, with Pajarito Lodge #66 AF&AM officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations in memory of Dale Thompson, made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/

The family has entrusted the gentle care of Mr. Thompson to Rivera Family Funeral Home of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Located at 1627 A Central Ave. Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 663-6880.