Reed and Bryson Thompson

Reed Thompson, 44, and Bryson Thompson, 6, of Crystal Lake passed away at their home on November 11, 2021.

Memorial services for Reed and Bryson Thompson will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church, 215 Summit Avenue in Crystal Lake with Pastor Les Green officiating.  Burial will be at Crystal Township Cemetery in Crystal Lake.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt.

Reed Roger Thompson was born June 2, 1977, to Jerry and Judy (Kumsher) Thompson in Forest City, Iowa.  He was raised and educated in Crystal Lake, where he graduated from Woden-Crystal Lake High School in 1995.  During his high school years, Reed played football and basketball.

Following high school, Reed began his working career, which led him to work a variety of jobs over the years.  He worked for the City of Crystal Lake; was a welder, working for John Deere, Winnebago, Iowa Mold Tooling and Snap-On; drove truck for Monson’s, helping during harvest; and was a talented painter, working at CDI and Moore’s Kustoms.

Reed had a passion for anything with a motor.  He loved riding his Harley, racing motocross and snowmobiling during the winter.  He enjoyed lifting weights and arm wrestling and shared his talents doing auto body work and painting vehicles.

Reed loved spending time with his family, they enjoyed camping, had many memorable trips to Valley Fair and South Dakota over the years, along with a trip to Sturgis in 1994.

More than anything, Reed was the proud and loving father of Bryson.  The two of them were nearly inseparable, whether it was them enjoying some of Reed’s famous burgers (Bryson said, “They’re the best!”), playing outside or going fishing.  Reed was growing in his belief and trust in God.  He and Bryson enjoyed walking across the street and attending Sunday services at United Methodist Church.

Reed had a tremendous sense of humor and will be lovingly remembered for his laughter and for always being happy.

Bryson Roger Thompson was born June 9, 2015, to Reed Thompson and Michelle Swearingen in Mason City, Iowa.

Bryson was raised by his father, Reed, and grandparents, Judy and Jerry Thompson in Crystal Lake, along with his aunts and uncles, Shelise and Jeff Hall and Holly and Nic Moore.

Bryson attended school in Forest City, where he was beloved by his classmates and teachers.  He is described as being a blessing and as ALWAYS having a smile on his face.

Bryson loved spending time with his family, whether it was picking flowers and putting up holiday decorations with grandma, playing with paper airplanes and going fishing with grandpa, spending time with his aunts and uncles while playing with fuzzies on the farm or tossing rocks into the lake off of their boat dock, going to eat at Subway, or having his favorite hamburgers prepared by his dad.

Bryson loved playing with his dolphin bubble machine and remote controlled helicopter, looking at the lava lamp, listening to the radio and watching Paw Patrol and Pepa Pig.  He loved picking yellow and purple flowers and dandelions, and collecting seashells given to him by his special neighbor friend Rita.

Sometimes he just liked to sit in his Iowa State lawn chair with his favorite tiger blanket, waiting to greet neighbors and his cousins when they returned from school.  Other times he loved playing in the sandbox or in the freshly fallen leaves.

Bryson will always be remembered for his loving smile, his curiosity at how things worked, and for the sense of humor he got from his dad.  He was known to hide under the blankets with his Halloween mask on, waiting for Reed to come and wake him up.

Reed is survived by his parents, Judy and Jerry Thompson of Crystal Lake, sisters Shelise and Jeff Hall of Forest City and Holly and Nic Moore of Crystal Lake; nephews Deegan and Easton; along with numerous other extended family members and friends.

Bryson is survived by his grandparents, Judy and Jerry Thompson of Crystal Lake; aunts and uncles Shelise and Jeff Hall of Forest City and Holly and Nic Moore of Crystal Lake; cousins (more like brothers) Deegan and Easton; divine guardian Dawn Schlichting; his birth mother Michelle Swearingen and extended members of the Swearingen family; friends and classmates.

Reed was preceded in death by his son, Bryson; and his grandparents, Agnes and Michael Kumsher and Joyce Thompson/Reimer and Robert Thompson.

Bryson was preceded in death by his father, Reed and grandmother Cheryl Swearingen.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, Reed’s family have established a memorial fund at MBT Bank and through Venmo (the account can be found under the username “@shelisehall”).