Rus Thompson Obituary

 By Jul Thompson, Wife of Rus

…. I have stories. Lol
Some of you have heard this story, but it’s one Rus loved to tell. He was very fond of his Nana, his Mum’s mom, who was a rock, and solid support to the family. Well at the end of her life she had cancer and had lost a lot of weight and her hair. He’d visit her at the hospital and say “Hello Nana, how’s my sexy old broad?” and she said “Oh Rusty! Where’s my wig?? Hand me my wig, I look like Jimmy Durante!” Happy he’s with his Nana, mom, sister, brother and so many others now…

*****

So here’s a little history on the day Rus and I met.
We were living in the same apartment complex in Tucson AZ.  
I needed to change a tire, and saw this guy, down the way, working on his car. I asked if I could borrow his tire iron, and with unusual chivalry, he insisted upon changing my tire for me, despite my objections. He was working at La Paloma Resort as a cook, which by the way I helped build as a carpenter, and he was changing his transmission to get himself back and forth to work. His 3 brothers were planning to help, and I said I had a few errands to run, and that I would help if they didn’t show up before I returned.
He said thank you but didn’t believe I would actually climb under the car with him.

Well I got back, they didn’t show, and we hoisted that tranny up in place only to find the bolt pattern didn’t match up. So we left it, went over to the pub next door where I proceeded, as he liked to tell the story, to kick his ars in pool.

We then went back to his apartment where he pulled out… his bible! Though I grew up in the church, I felt he filled me with more scripture than I’d ever heard in my entire life. No lie. It was the greatest first date ever!

Onto a little earlier history, His mum Dottie had 5 children – Carol, Terri, Rusty, Billy, Chuck and little Ricky in the oven - when their father, sadly, went MIA. With no real social safety nets at the time, Dottie’s family offered their cabin up in Maine. And with no heat or indoor plumbing, Rus & Bill’s responsibility was to dump the waste buckets and chop wood for the fire.. at the tender ages of 5 and 6. His older sisters couldn’t do it, they were girls! So Rus (and his siblings) had a difficult life and grew up fast.

The struggle was real! And really continued on throughout his life with work, starting a manufacturing business, raising a family with no good role models, his epic fight against corruption and his declining health.

He was by no means perfect… but God perfected a great work in Rus. He overcame alcoholism and was 32 years sober! He fathered 6 beautiful children, is grandfather to 11 grandchildren and one great grandbaby. His genius somehow created the amazing Mini-Mixer  and built a successful business. He took up many important causes and became a voice of people who felt they had no voice. He spoke with brute honesty and despite his intolerance for nonsense, he really walked with humility among kings. Some people may disagree..

We know all things work together for good to those who love the Lord.. unfortunately ALL things include BAD things, and sad things.. but we can take great comfort in knowing good things will come even at the passing of our beloved Rus.

With the loss of loved ones, health issues, broken relationships and a plethora of other problems we all experience in our human meat suits, before that glorious day we meet our Maker, some mornings can seem a little merciless. But, truly, I say to you, His Mercies are new every morning!

If I let a day go by without devotionals, giving thanks for the multitude of blessings he bestows upon us, prayer for others and for wisdom, it turns into a hot mess. With it, there is nothing I can’t overcome. Without fail. He gives us strength, courage, comfort and a peace that surpasses all understanding. Rus set that fire in my heart about 40 years ago, and for that I am eternally grateful.

I thank you so deeply for your friendship, comradery and and love. God Bless.