My name is Lon Gerald Thompson. I was born in the City of Dawson Creek, BC on August 4, 1947. I send you this message through my brother Barry. I didn't die peacefully because I hadn't planned on dying. I loved my family and I loved my job at Chevron Refinery. I wanted to have my knee repaired so I could return to work and help my fellow workers run the refinery. I wanted to enjoy the company of my young son and was looking forward to teaching him how to drive. You see I had been on a long waiting list for my knee surgery. I waited, and I waited, and I waited. Finally I was risking further injury at work because I could not support my body frame with this injured knee. I was a big man weighing over 300 pounds with a big loving heart. I wasn't a drunk, I wasn't a drug addict or a drug pusher. I never had a criminal conviction of any kind. I think I would fit into the ideal member of society group. The company I worked for helped arrange surgery through a private clinic, so that's where the surgery took place. It was a successful reconstruction of my knee, and hours later I left the clinic with the assistance of my wife. They supplied me with crutches to assist me. I went home that night and spent a wonderful night with my wife and son and associated pain killers. At that time in my mind I realized that perhaps being able to stay in a hospital with professionally trained nurses would have been a good idea. However, I was not allowed to go to the hospital after my surgery. My family and I spent a good night together at our home and I was thankful that the knee surgery was finally completed. The next day we had to return to the clinic to have the dressings changed. I found it extremely hard to move. I was stressed to the maximum trying to walk. I was using a walker because I could not function on the crutches. We finally made it to the clinic and I started to feel dizzy. That's all I can tell you because I am no longer on this earth. Paramedics tried to revive me but they weren't successful.
I leave behind my wife Nora, my son Stephan and my dog Shadow. My father was laid to rest March 26, 2001 and sends his love to you all. I am also survived by my mother Julie Thompson, my brother Barry Thompson along with his wife Lana and son Marc.
Lon Thompson will be lovingly remembered by all of his extended family in Dawson Creek, and the Okanagan area.
A memorial service will be held at Hendersons Funeral Chapel, 20786 Fraser Highway, Langley on Friday, December 12 at 11:00 a.m.