Dr. Archie Thompson

Dr. Archie Carey Thompson

January 3, 1922 ~ November 8, 2021

Dr. Archie Carey Thompson, 99, passed away peacefully at home, on November 8, 2021, surrounded by his son and daughter-in-law, in North Ogden, Utah.

Arch was born on January 3, 1922, in Bluefield, West Virginia, to Shelby and Laura Kinser Thompson. Arch and his older brother, Kermit, could often be found swimming in the lake near their home.

He met his wife, Annabelle Summers, while working as a waiter during his undergrad at West Virginia University. They were married on May 7, 1943, in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Arch was commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1943 and was accepted into the Medical College of Virginia, where the navy paid for his medical education. He worked as a medical officer for the navy during WWII, giving physicals to new recruits and ended his military career as a senior grade lieutenant commander.

Arch and Ann had four children, Steve, Nicka, Mark, and Jennifer. They moved to Elkins, West Virginia, in 1950 where Arch had accepted a position practicing internal medicine at Davis Memorial Hospital. He specialized in heart disease and was one of the first doctors in the country to utilize baby aspirin to help his patients with their conditions. Arch served as the president of the West Virginia Heart Association during his career and was also involved in the Rotary Club and served as their president for a time. Arch was a beloved member of the Elkins community for his medical service for 37 years.

Every summer Arch and Ann took their children to Nags Head, North Carolina, for a two-week vacation. Arch loved to support his children and family time was very important to him.

After retirement, Arch and Ann loved to travel the world and spent their later years in places such as Portugal, Italy, Hawaii, among many others. When they weren’t travelling, Arch could always be found tending to his garden and landscaping or at the Elks Country Club, where he loved to golf.

In 2010, Arch and Ann sold their home in Elkins and moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, to be closer to their daughter, Nicka, and her family. In 2013, Arch and Ann celebrated 70 years of marriage and were interviewed by the local news station about their time together. Arch said, “I’ve been assured that the next 70 years will be easier.” Arch’s wit and wisdom made him such a joy to be around.

Arch’s beautiful wife, Ann, passed away on November 23, 2016. The following summer, Arch moved to Provo, Utah, to be closer to his son, Steve, and other family that lived in Utah. He enjoyed being involved in the many available activities offered at Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living Center in Provo.

In September 2020, he moved into his son and daughter-in-law’s home in North Ogden, Utah, to spend the remainder of his time with his family. Once a month the Thompson family would gather to celebrate birthdays and Arch always looked forward to dessert, as he had quite a sweet tooth.

Arch loved being surrounded by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and would regularly say that there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch. He also said that his great-great-grandchildren were perfect because he never heard them cry (which the family always laughed and attributed that perception to his hearing loss.)

Arch is survived by his children, Steve (Sharon), North Ogden, Utah; Mark (Ken), Washington, D.C.; Jennifer, Atlanta, Georgia; 5 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Ann; daughter, Nicka; brother, Kermit; and two great-great-grandsons.

A funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Elkins, West Virginia, on December 11, 2021.

On what would have been dad's 100th birthday, a Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022,  at 1 p.m. at the Mountain Ward, 787 East 1700 North, North Ogden.