Blaine Thomson

Our Heavenly Father welcomed lifelong Colorado resident Blaine Thomson into His open arms after a lengthy battle with bone cancer and acid reflux disease on Saturday June 28th 2014 in Farmington New Mexico at the BridgeAssisted Living Center. Blaine was 82.
Blaine was born to Archibald “Al” and Geneva Thomson on November 16th 1931 in Durango Colorado. He graduated from Pagosa Springs High School with his life long love and future wife Mary. They had been sand box buddies since the tender age of two.
Blaine and Mary were married on May 10th 1951 in Pagosa Springs after graduating from high school in 1950. Both came from registered pioneer families in Colorado, some thing they were very proud of. The couple had lived inDurango since 1980.
Blaine proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was a long standing and proud member of both the Masonic Lodge and American Legion.
Blaine worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation for 32 years before retiring in 1989. He had under his command those brave souls that plowed the mountain passes of southwestern Colorado. More than once he had been knocked around by snow slides on Cole Bank and Red Mountain passes. One such slide on Red Mountain is known as Thomson’s Slip in his honor. During his tenure he lost one man Terry Kishbaugh, to Riverside Slide on RedMountain pass, something that haunted him to the very end.
Blaine and Mary enjoyed nothing more than to explore the four-wheel-drive roads of the four corners. They were known for going where they might not technically been allowed to travel in their jeep. And as many may bear witness there was nothing quite as beautiful as Blaine’s Rose garden.
Blaine enjoyed all sports and was a huge fan of all the Colorado teams. He could have opened a sporting good outlet with all of the Bronco memorabilia he had collected over the years. Golf was a passion that he enjoyed with his wife, friends and sons up until the very last days. He even told some visitors the week before his passing that they had awakened him when he was having a “Very good round”.
Blaine’s greatest loves were that of his family and faith. He and Mary were very active in the Methodist Church and Methodist Thrift Shop. Nothing pleased him more than to watch his grandchildren and great grandson growing up. His love for them was measureless.
Blaine is survived by his sons; Rocky Thomson and his wife Lorie of Farmington N.M.; Ricky Thomson and his wife Wendy of Lakewood Co; sister, Alene Cole of Allison Co. three grandchildren; Camille Larson of Durango, Jared Thomson of Seattle Wa, Jane Thomson of Lakewood Co; and one great-grandson Stone Larson of Durango.
The family would like to thank the literally hundreds of card senders and visitors of the past few months. It means more to them than they could ever express. This giant Teddy Bear of a man will be missed by all. It is comforting to know that he is finally at rest with our Lord and Mary now.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th at the First United Methodist Church of Durango, 2917 Aspen Drive.