John “Butch” Manton Thompson, Jr. 72, Barnum, died Monday, May 22, 2017 in Solvay Hospice House, Duluth.  He was born on August 28, 1944 in Duluth to Edna and John Thompson, Sr.  He grew up in Lawler and Duluth and later moved to Barnum where he attended Barnum High School graduating in 1962.  Butch attended Dunwoody for a short time and later enlisted in the United States Army until receiving a medical discharge.  He later worked on the Railroad, plowing snow for the State of MN, and as a mechanic for Odberg & Ryan in Duluth and Moses Chevrolet in Carlton.  In 1967, he began working for his father at Thompson Motor Service in Barnum and in 1981 went on his own with Thompson Motor Service.  He also operated Big T Truck Center in Carlton for about 5 years and also purchased Lake City Towing in 1992.

He was a member of Barnum Community United Methodist Church.  Butch was also a member of Barnum Community Club, Barnum Fire Department, Barnum Lions Club, and the Moosehorn Rod & Gun Club.  He had a great love for classic cars and organized several car shows in the area and was a member of both the National and Minnesota Impala Clubs.  Butch was also involved in the Minnesota Towing Association.  He truly loved his Barnum community and loved to help support and promote events that were happening.  Butch loved to visit and was often found in area restaurants soaking in the latest news or enjoying a game of cribbage with his friends.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents.

Butch is survived by his wife, Sharon; two sons: Chad (Erica) of Esko and Jay (Shanna) of Duluth ; 5 grandchildren whom he thought the world of: Alex, Zach, Nicholas, Grant, and Clarissa; two sisters: Valerie (Terry) O’Rourke and Judy (Ronald) Welhaven; several nieces, nephews, in-laws and many friends.

Visitation will be from 6-8 PM, Friday, May 26 in Barnum Community United Methodist Church and continue Saturday, May 27 from 10 AM until the 11 AM service in Barnum Community United Methodist Church.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Barnum.

To sign the guestbook online, go to:  www.hhkfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.