Obituary: Steven Paul Thompson, 80

With profound sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Steven Paul Thompson on December 10, 2022. Steven was a lifelong Allegan resident born on August 20, 1942, to Paul and Lucille (Weaver) Thompson, and was preceded in death by his parents and newbom daughter, Melissa Marie Thompson. He is survived by his wife of 35 years and love of his life Sally (Krueger) Thompson: his siblings Karen (late Everett) Barnes, Donna (late Jerry) O’Bryant, Joyce (late Villas) Mohrland, Robert A (Sally) Thompson, Jackie Thompson, and Louise (late Darrin Myers); daughters Tammy Thompson and Teresa (Thompson) Steinburg, stepsons Brad (Tammy) Page and Jason (Jennifer) Page; grandchildren Jeremy Thompson, Bradley “Alex” (Lyric Murphy) Steinburg, Kristopher Steinburg, Claysen Page, Addie Page, Sydney Page, and Max Page; great grandchildren Nicholas and Wyatt Steinburg; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat Midnight.
He was a very talented artist and avid bird watcher who enjoyed crossword puzzles, pecan clusters, scratch-off tickets, playing cards, telling great jokes, helping others, traveling, hunting, hugging his grandchildren and fishing. Oh, how he loved to fish! He was known in Puerto Vallarta as “El Pescador” where he used to fish in the International Billfish Toumament and serve as a self-proclaimed ambassador and tour guide for family and friends. He lived and breathed fishing in his pond and on both The Great Lakes and inland lakes, as well. If he wasn’t in a piece of heavy equipment, he was most likely on the water.
“Ole Thomp,” as he was known by many locals, was a highly sought-after crane operator and excavator who began his road construction career with Goodwin Construction, Inc. at age 16. Later he worked for decades at Milbocker and Sons, Inc. He was also a Business Agent for Operating Engineers Local 324 for over a decade where he not only negotiated contracts with finesse but also lobbied in Lansing and Washington DC where he forged close relationships with former governors Milliken and Blanchard and dined with President Ford. Locals will fondly recall the “Keith Sober Action Slate” Annual Labor Day Pig Roasts hosted by Steven at his residence with over 1,000 attendees. No one could ever hold a candle to his great events.
Steve was a member of The First Congregational Church of Allegan and was a great friend and mentor to many. He would give the shirt off his back for those in need and believed in preserving beauty around him which is evident in the hard work he contributed to the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve. He was also an active advocate for the restoration of the historical Second Street Bridge and helped found the annual Allegan Bridgefest. He was especially known for his firm stance on hard work ethics which he instilled deeply into his children and grandchildren. He demanded this in anyone who ever worked for him whether in his construction crew or at The Stables Lounge, Inc., which he owned and operated from 1976 to 1988. He also believed in making time to smile. During his golfing years, he was once the President of Otwellagan Country Club and put on golfing tournaments that were second to none. He was very proud of his integral part in the creation of The Lynx Golf Course and many other projects including ponds and excavation at Cheshire Hills Golf Course, The Grill House, many private residents, and continuing expansion and beautification projects at Inisfree Farm Resort and Bed and Breakfast.
A man of great talent in many facets; he will be missed by all who loved him so deeply! Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 at 11:30a.m. at The First Congregational Church of Allegan. In Steven’s memory, donations can be made to First Congregational Church, Allegan, Michigan.