Russell L. "Rusty" Thompson, Jr.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Russell L. “Rusty” Thompson, Jr., 53, of Granville, will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Swasey Chapel, Denison University with Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Applegate as celebrant. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville with military honors rendered by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

A retired Captain with the Granville Township Fire Department, Rusty passed away November 13, 2015 at his home. He was born in Newark, Ohio in 1962 to Russell L. Thompson, Sr. and Linda Shaw Satterfield.

After graduating from Northridge High School, Rusty served with the Military Police in the Army. He worked for Granville Fire from 1989 until his retirement in 2014.  He was a fire captain, paramedic, inspector, instructor and hazmat technician.  He specialized in agricultural rescue and pump operations, which he taught to many firefighters across the state.  At the time of his retirement, he was also working for the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office as an instructor of agricultural rescue.

When not helping others, Rusty enjoyed tractor pulls and tinkering with vintage tractors, most especially Allis Chalmers. A true patriot, he will be remembered for his orneriness, loyalty, dedication, and ability to teach others.

In addition to his parents, surviving are his wife Kristina L. “Kris” Thompson, whom he married in 1997; sons, Michael and Matthew Thompson; brothers, Jeff (Lynn) and Jerry (Diane) Thompson; and sister, Tammy (Ray) Thompson; nephews, Blake, Zachary, and Nicholas. He was preceded in death by his sister, Cathy Stolz.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at SWASEY CHAPEL on the campus of Denison University.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, OH 43058 or Granville Township Fire Department, P.O. Box 202, Granville, OH 43023.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.