Building engineer, Euclid Ave. Methodist Church
Craig George Thompson, 71, died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep, at home in Oak Park on May 2, 2022. He served as building engineer at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church in Oak Park and was devoted to that congregation, including to its minister and his dear friend, Rev. Marti Scott. With steadfast dedication, he managed the maintenance and improvement of the church buildings and grounds with skill, and was central to the church’s work of serving others, protecting the Earth, and loving God. Following in the footsteps of his father, he was an excellent athlete, playing baseball and football as a youth. A graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, he served honorably in the U.S. Army in the mid-1970s, stationed in Germany for several years.
Before finding Euclid Avenue United Methodist, he was a go-to resource around Oak Park for anyone in need of household or business maintenance. His facility with language helped him land on the name “Home Work” for his operation. He enjoyed tinkering with cars with his pals at the Oak Park Auto Repair shop. He was an avid reader of military history; a committed, but awful golfer; and a lifelong sufferer, rooting for the Chicago Bears and White Sox.
The fifth child of 10 born to Joan (nee Horan) and Donald Thompson of Oak
Park, Craig is survived by eight of his siblings and their spouses, Susan (Robert) Drane, Nancy Jackson, the late Donald (Nadine) Thompson, Michael (Mary Ann) Thompson, Mary Thompson, Patricia (John) Harvey, Dennis Thompson, James Thompson (Diane Kelley), and Joan (the late John) Backes. Other survivors include 13 nieces and nephews, and 18 great-nieces and great-nephews, including the family of his nephew, Tim Drane (Heidi, and children Quentin, Greta, and Natalie).
A service celebrating the life of Craig Thompson will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. Visitation with the family starts at 10:30 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Craig’s memory to the Craig Thompson Memorial Fund at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church.
Arrangements were handled by Peter B. Kennedy & Co., Funeral Directors.
