Monty R. Thompson - eulogy

For those that did not get to attend the service and for those that were there but requested a copy. Here is the wonderful eulogy that Kelsey put together for us. If you have a favorite "Monty" story I know Mom, Audrey, and I would love to hear them. Please feel free to write, type, email them to us. This is a way for us to share our dad with our children! We will be saving them and putting them in a scrapbook for all his grandchildren and future ones to come (if there are any).

Monty Thompson
By Jane Thompson, Christy Thompson Hackleman, Audrey Thompson Pore and Kelsey Angle

Maybe you knew him as Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle Monty, Mr. Thompson, Coach Thompson or just plain Monty but you are here today because he in some way touched your life. If you knew Monty well, you probably figured out that this whole day would have been a nightmare for him. “Organized chaos”, he would have called it, but he would have found a way to make everything work much like those who have helped put this service together today. He would thank you for that.

Today we celebrate the life of Monty Thompson. When Jane asked him about the funeral service he said, if I had my way no one would have to wear a tie. So if you have a tie on and want to take it off or loosen it, feel free. But leave your shirt tail tucked in, because Monty felt strongly about dressing appropriately when representing your school or community.
He also wanted the service to be brief so that everyone could go play golf. Monty would have asked for a forecast, so it’s only fitting that I share, that it will be near 60 degrees at 2 pm, mostly sunny, neither breezy nor windy with a north wind at 5 mph and a 0% chance of rain. If you are interested in golf, see Bill Bogner because a round is in the works.

In golf, it’s important to have a good grip on the club. In life, it is important to have a good grip on oneself and on the game of life. Monty had that good grip. When asked how he was doing he often replied, “I have a good Lord, good doctors, good family and good friends.” He never wanted to give in to cancer. He was a fighter and believed strongly in his faith and values. He was willing to try any study available, even on the chance it didn’t help him but the research might help someone else down the line. While Monty has lost his round with cancer, he has a new course ahead.

In golf and life it’s important to follow through. One of Monty’s greatest joys in life was walking his daughters down the aisle. As you know, Monty was quick witted and had a one liner for any situation. He also was a coach both on and off the field and a teacher in and out of the classroom. Just before walking Christy and Audrey down the aisle, there was a “Bridesmaid Huddle”. Monty huddled the girls and said, “Girls, walk straight, no tripping and keep your eyes on the prize. It’s the fundamentals girls!”

In golf and life, it is important to have a proper stance and proper balance. Monty was the South Barber High School principal but he was also a man of principles. He was honest and fair in his dealings with people. There was never any question of where you stood with Mr. Thompson. He had high expectations and he made them known to his staff and students. If you crossed that line, there were consequences and he let you know that. He loved his family but he also loved his kids at school. In making decisions he would always consider what was best for the kids. He loved his staff and was always trying to make things easier so that they could just do their job.

In golf, you play with old friends or make new ones. In life, it is important to have old friends and make new ones. It was a tradition for Monty to make new friends on Valentine’s Day. Every year, he would have Laurie and Janet make Jane a unique Valentine’s Day balloon bouquet. Attached to the bouquet was lots and lots of candy for all of the first graders to enjoy. This annual tradition of sugar enticement, and friendship, always brought anxiousness and anticipation to South Barber Elementary.

In golf, you sometimes lose your ball in the rough. In life, we sometimes lose our way in the rough, rough times. During a girl’s high school basketball practice, Monty explained and explained and explained a basketball drill to the team. However, the team just wasn’t executing. Monty left the court, went to the locker room, grabbed a jersey, along with some tape. He then taped the jersey to the wall. Next, he turned to the jersey and started talking to it. As you might imagine, the team took notice and started to gather around and wonder what in the world Monty was doing. Monty posed the question, himself: “Do you want to know, what I’m doing?” and he answered, “Since you are not listening to me, I thought I would talk to the wall because at least the wall won’t talk back and make excuses.”

In golf, good players repair divots and ball marks. In life, good citizens strive to leave the world a better place. Serving in the Natural Guard, Monty believed that he should never ask a fellow soldier something that he would not do himself. To complete the order, he would jump in and help.

Monty was very proud of his grandchildren. He was always showing off pictures or telling stories to those who had an ear. He strived to be a positive role model and without a doubt has played an important part in their future. You can bet he will be smiling down from above as his grandkids make him proud.

Golf is one of the closest games, to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots but you have to play the ball where it lies. As a Christian, son, husband, dad, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, grandpa, cousin, principal, teacher, coach, soldier, friend and a golfer, Monty always strived to play the game of life where the ball lay and make the most of any given situation by giving it his best shot. That’s the effort that he gave us, and that’s the memory and expectation that Monty would want to leave us with, giving life our best shot and leaving the world a better place.