Chester B. Thompson Jr.

Sioux Falls, SD ~ Chester “Chet” Burdette Thompson Jr. 81, died on November 2, 2024 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.  His funeral service will be 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls with burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.  His family will be present to greet friends for visitation on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the funeral home from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Chester Thompson Jr. was born on April 2, 1943 in Sioux Falls, SD to Chester B. Thompson Sr and Kathryn (Gjere) Thompson.  As an infant, Chet lived in Yuma, AZ until the end of WWII and then was raised and received his education in Luverne, MN, Harrisburg, SD and then in 1958 his family made their home near Centerville, SD.  Chet graduated from Centerville High School in 1961 and then continued his education at Augustana College for one year before transferring to the University of South Dakota where he would earn his Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating in 1965.  Chet then began teaching in Thompson, Iowa and then Sutherland, Iowa until enlisting in the United States Army in 1968.   Chet served in Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1970.  Following his time in the service, Chet made his home in Sioux Falls, SD where he worked numerous construction jobs.   In 1978, Chet began his career as a bus driver with the Sioux Falls Transit where he worked until his retirement in December of 2017. 

Chet was a member of The Amalgamated Transit Union since 1978. He served as local Union President 15 years. 

Chet loved spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and visiting Wyoming and Colorado.  Above all, he loved spending time with his family; especially taking his family fishing.  He was a loving brother, uncle, cousin, veteran and friend who will be deeply missed.    

Grateful for having shared his life are his sister, Linda Gilles and her husband, Jim of Mobile, AL; two brothers, Steve Thompson and his wife, Vicki, Sioux Falls, SD and Chuck Thompson and his wife, Cindy of Buffalo, WY; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Chet is preceded in death by his father, Chester Thompson Sr. and his mother, Kathryn Hoiland.