Leonard Hugh Thompson, 79, formerly of Lebanon, was called home by his Lord and Savior. While his passing leaves a great void, his life stands as a testament to faith, service, love, and the extraordinary impact one person can have simply by showing up.
Born and raised in Lebanon, Len was the son of Leonard J. Thompson and Mary Ann Hummel Thompson. He attended Lebanon Catholic schools before graduating from Lebanon High School, where the values of faith, discipline, and service that would guide his life were firmly instilled.
Len proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era as a member of the Old Guard, based at Arlington National Cemetery. This was a role he held with deep respect and pride, reflecting his lifelong reverence for country, duty, and sacrifice.
Following his military service, Len continued his education at Harrisburg Area Community College and Penn State Capitol Campus (now Penn State Harrisburg), where he completed his undergraduate studies. It was at Penn State that he met Barbara Matecki, the love of his life. They married in 1971 and shared a devoted partnership until her passing in 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. Len remained steadfastly by her side, embodying unwavering love and commitment.
Len earned a master’s degree from George Washington University and spent his professional career with the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., retiring at the highest civilian level in the U.S. government.
One of Len’s greatest joys was being deeply involved in his children’s lives, especially through sports. He coached all three of his children at various points in time. He coached Jeffrey’s basketball and soccer teams throughout lower and middle school, as well as Lenny and his friends on CYO soccer and basketball teams over many years. Len also coached Tara and her CYO teams and went on to coach her high school basketball team throughout her entire high school career.
Len devoted countless hours not only to his own children, but to many children who were not his own—guiding them, shaping them, and helping to form them not just into better athletes but into better people off the court and off the field. It has been said that “the greatest gift that you can give to someone else is your time.” Len Thompson exemplified this statement in every sense.
Leonard is survived by his three children: Tara Byrne, and her husband, J.C., Leonard Thompson Jr., and Jeffrey Thompson, and his wife, Dominique Dawes. He is also survived by his sister, Marianne Thompson, and her partner, Dave Anderson; brother, Theodore Thompson, and his wife, Dawn; and grandchildren, Graydon Byrne, Finley Byrne, Kateri Thompson, Quinn Thompson, Dakota Thompson, and Lincoln Thompson, each of whom was a source of immense pride and joy.
Len will be remembered for his deep faith, his service to country, his devotion to family, and the countless lives he touched simply by giving his time, guidance, and heart.
