THOMPSON, David Francis 89, passed from this life on October 18, 2008. He was born in Blanchester, Ohio on November 3, 1918 , the son of Millard and Nola Overman Thompson. Dave was a kind and gentle man who was deeply committed to his family. A member of the greatest generation, Dave served his country proudly as an Army Scout Observer and Rifleman in World War II while stationed with Company B of "The Custer Division" with General Mark Clark's 5th Army in the European theater. From January 1944 to August 1945, Dave traversed the length of the Italian peninsula, moving from south to north, as a scout and foot soldier. His service to his country was the singular defining experience of his life. He was most humble regarding his distinguished service and rarely spoke of the heroism for which he was awarded three Bronze Stars for valor and combat performance and a Purple Heart for injuries received in action. His military experience formed the basis for the quiet strength, intri! nsic determination and fierce independence he demonstrated throughout the remainder of his life. Dave was married to Jerva Kegley Thompson on July 5, 1947. He was a resident of Beavercreek , Ohio from 1951 to 2004. He relocated to Flatwoods, Kentucky in 2004. In both of his home cities, Dave was known as a dependable neighbor and a loyal friend. As a young man, he enjoyed ice skating. He later enjoyed gardening, fishing and camping. Saturday's in the fall over several decades were spent traveling the eastern United States to attend marching band contests in which his children and grandchildren participated. Over the past ten years, Dave's homemade chocolate chip cookies became legendary and were in great demand at family gatherings. Dave retired from Defense Electronic Supply Center in Dayton , OH and previously worked as a salesman for White Baking Co. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Hawker United Church of Christ (Beavercreek, Ohio), and was a Kentu! cky Colonel. Most recently, he attended the Greenup First United Metho dist Church in Greenup, Kentucky. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Gail D. Thompson, a granddaughter, Maggie Thompson and a sister, Alice Hicks. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Jerva Kegley Thompson; a son, Terry D. Thompson of Flatwoods; four dearly loved grandchildren, Melissa R. Thompson, Eric D. Thompson, Rebecca L. Thompson, and Olivia R. Thompson, and a broad host of family and friends. He was affectionately known to the Keaton family as "Papaw Dave," and was a surrogate grandparent to numerous young people. In Kentucky, a memorial service will be held at Caniff Funeral Home at 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 21. Family and friends may call prior to the service from 11am-1pm. In Ohio, visitation will be on Tuesday October 21 from 7-9pm at Tobias Funeral Home in Beavercreek, Ohio. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at 10am at Tobias Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dave's memory can be made to either Greenup Fi! rst United Methodist Church, 607 Main Street, Greenup, KY 41144 or Neighbors Helping Neighbors', 2516 Carter Ave. , Ashland , KY 41101. Published in the Dayton Daily News on 10/21/2008