Harold N. Thompson

Harold Neal Thompson, 86, of Keokuk, IA, died November 13, 2011 at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. He was born on June 30, 1925 to Seth and Alta Katherin Perkins Thompson, the youngest of twelve children. He married Murial Maxine Oliver on December 2, 1952 and they later divorced. On July 3, 1965, Harold married Mildred Jeanette Johnson in Danville, IA. They later divorced. He was a veteran of the United States Marines and served during WW II in the Pacific Area from 1944 – 1946. He participated in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands and also in the occupation of Japan. He received his honorable discharge in 1946 with the rank of Corporal. He had been the owner of several restaurant businesses in Keokuk including the 76 Club on South 5th Street, the Glass Rail on Main, the Lakeshore Club on River Road, Harold's Place on Highway 61 and Harold's Place on the lower level of the Iowa Hotel. He also owned the Oasis Club on Hwy 61 near Burlington, IA. In 1981, Harold's Place was featured in the Des Moines Register. Harold's Place was a very popular restaurant in Keokuk and had a reputation as the place to go for a good steak dinner. The menu featured top quality meats that were cooked with real charcoal. Every meal included a tossed salad, heaped high in the salad bowl, crackers, hard rolls and a crock of cheese spread. Harold was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Keokuk Chiefs. But his favorite team was the Chicago Cubs and he always held out hope that this would be the year they would win the World Series. He is survived by two daughters, Karren Skipworth and her husband Jim of Huntsville, Ontario and Tammy Johnson of St. Charles, IL, two sons, Dana Thompson and his wife Vicki of Keokuk, IA and Tim Johnson and his wife Robin of Keokuk, IA, six grandchildren, Narryn Davis and her husband Rick, Brittany Speciale and her husband Jeromy, Isaac Johnson, Ryan Thompson and his wife Jacquie, Rachel Johnson and Jennafer Seabold and her husband Jeramey, five great-grandchildren, Tyler Davis, Kellen Thompson, Jacob Jones, Rylee Davis and Natalie Jones, and his two special dogs, Betty and Jocco. He was preceded in death by his eleven brothers and sisters. A private family graveside service was held in the Green Glade Cemetery in Farmington. Memorials may be made to the Keokuk Humane Society.