Published: July 15, 2009 12:08 pm McLeansboro Times-Leader Thompson Eugene Mead Hamilton County native Thompson Eugene Mead, 89, died July 9, 2009. He was born April 30, 1920, in McLeansboro to Fred and Novie Thompson Mead. He was a loving husband for 67 years to Beatrice White and dearly loved their five children, daughter Carolyn Newt (Jerry) of Los Gatos, Calif., and sons Gregory (Pauline) of Sitka, Ala., Richard of Boulder Creek, Calif., Jeffrey of San Jose, Calif., and Christopher of Fiddletown, Calif.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother Drexel Mead of McLeansboro. Mr. Mead taught 30 years in the Cambrian School District, San Jose, Calif. He was an avid gardener, growing "only what you can eat." He spent many happy summers fishing, camping, backpacking, river running and traveling to the Midwest to visit family while seeing our wonderful country along the way. Help us celebrate his life on Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m. at the We & Our Neighbors Clubhouse, 15480 Union Ave., San Jose. Parking is located at Union School District offices across the street. Contributions may be made to the Sierra Club, 85 Second St., second floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 preferred. Local arrangements were by Darling-Fischer Chapel of the Las Gatos, Calif.