Paul D. Thompson

Paul D. Thompson

Albia

Paul D. Thompson, 82, of Albia, IA, died on Monday, May 12, 2025, of pancreatic cancer at Oakwood Specialty Care, under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. He was born July 10, 1942, in Chicago, IL, the son of Robert C. and Dorothy L. (Dain) Thompson.

Paul graduated from Stockport High School, Class of 1960. Paul then went to the American Institute of Business, graduating in 1962 with a degree in Finance. Paul married Donna Jean Clark on June 23, 1962, at the Stockport Methodist Church.

Paul was a huge proponent of the importance of small-town newspapers and started his career in this line of work in 1969 at the Fort Madison Union-Democrat. He was an Editor, Publisher and Advertising Director for several newspapers in Iowa, Illinois, California, Idaho and Pennsylvania. Paul retired from his last job at the Newspapers of Iowa County (Marengo) in 2005. He won numerous editorial, photography and advertising awards from the Iowa Newspaper Association and in 1980 won the Best Original Columnist award from the Illinois Press Association. He defeated Mike Royko, a nationally syndicated columnist from the Chicago Sun-Times. After retiring, Paul moved to Albia and became a member of the Albia Jehovah Witness congregation.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Donna and a daughter, Melissa.

Surviving are his sons, Michael (Julie) Thompson, of Albia and Scott (Dr. Elizabeth McCurdy) Thompson, of Ankeny. Seven grandchildren, Kyle, Doug, Jay, Anna, Alex, Meghan, and Xavier. Two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Maeleigh. One brother, David Thompson (Donna) of St. Peter, Minnesota; two nieces and one nephew.

Services will be held at the Albia Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at a later date. A private family burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Williamsburg, Iowa.

Condolences to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.