Roger Thompson

Roger Alen Thompson, 81, of Billings, MT, peacefully passed away on October 24, 2024.

Roger was born on March 29, 1943, to Gordon and Doris Thompson in Plentywood, Montana. Roger attended Plentywood High School and graduated in 1961. After high school, Roger attended Montana State University Bozeman and then transferred to MSU Northern in Havre.

Roger and his wife, Audrey, briefly lived in Seattle where Roger worked as a draftsman. They soon realized the city wasn't for them and returned to Plentywood to farm. After a short farming stint in Plentywood, Roger bought a farm outside of Cascade, Montana. After selling that farm, Roger took his family to Kalispell where they spent a winter on Lake Blaine. The next farm Roger bought was in Dillon, Montana, where the family lived for 2 years. After selling that farm, Roger and his family returned to the Great Falls area where he bought a farm in Fairfield and Simms. At about this time, the farming market crashed, forcing Roger to give up farming. He then returned to school and earned his bachelor's degree in media. He spent a short time working for a TV station in Great Falls as a cameraman. Around this time, his father-in-law, Willard, asked for help farming the Olson Farm in Regent, ND. Roger farmed that place until he retired. He then returned to Helena where his wife, Audrey, was living. Eventually, Roger moved to Billings where he lived the remainder of his life.

Roger had a love of music, travel, and farming. He had a pilot's license and owned a plane of his own. One of his favorite pastimes was to drive around and look at crops. Coming from a musical family, it was inherent that he would share his love for music with his children.

In 1962, Roger met Audrey in Dagmar, MT. They announced their engagement in 1963 and married on July 10, 1964. They were married for 59 years until Audrey passed away February 4, 2024. Roger and Audrey went on to have 2 children, Melanie and Nathan and four grandchildren.

Roger's greatest joy later in life was his grandkids. He attended as many sporting events as possible, dance recitals or musical concerts as he was able. Always willing to pick up the grandkids for a trip to the lake or just for a quick ice cream cone. He loved to hear and retell all the favorite stories to all who would listen.

Roger was predeceased by his wife, Audrey, mother, Doris, and his father, Gordon; his brother, Rodney, nephew Travis, and niece Kayla. He is survived by his daughter Melanie (Duane), Logan (Meghan), Janessa (Kyler), son Nathan (Johanna), Zachary, and Hattie, brother Jim (Suzanne), Richard (Merle), Donna (Terry), and Ted as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

Memorial services for Roger will be November 30, 2024, at the Huntley Project Museum at 11:30 am.