Barbara J. Thompson

March 4, 1928-Oct. 22, 2016

Barbara Jean Thompson, who lived her dream of publishing a newspaper, raised four sons, and touched many with warm kindness, generosity, and optimism, died Oct. 22 of cancer at her home on Puget Sound near Olympia. A memorial gathering will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Gull Harbor Lutheran Church, 4610 Boston Harbor Road NE, Olympia, Wash.

Barbara and husband Alan, who married in 1949, published The Wahkiakum County Eagle from 1957 to 1966. From the mid-1960s to 1990 they published the Cowlitz County Advocate in Castle Rock and the Lewis County News in Winlock. Barbara was president of Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and served in organizations aiding needy families, operating a home for troubled boys, and maintaining cemeteries. Alan served in the Washington Legislature from 1965 to 1986. He was Chief Clerk of the House from 1986 to 1992.

Barbara is survived by Alan, her sister Patricia, her brother John and his wife Ardith, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by four sons, three daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren, all living in Olympia: Rowland, Amy and Claire Thompson; Sam Thompson; James Thompson, Megan Gillespie, Nicholas and Margaret Thompson; Jonathan, Rosalind, Owen and Drew Thompson.

A more detailed obituary is available online at http://www.funeralalternatives.org.