Donald James Thompson, 69 passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Newport News, Virginia.
He was born in Maryland, grew up in South Portland, Maine and graduated from South Portland High School 1975. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1981-1985 and was assigned to the USS Stump at Naval Station in Norfolk. He was awarded the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He decided to switch branches and was accepted into the United States Army from 1986-2001 and served his country 15 years. He was assigned as a Marine Deck Officer. Throughout his career with promotions and achievements, he retired as a CW3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3).
He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy good conduct medal, National Defense Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal W 1 Bronze Service Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2nd award), Army Service Ribbon and Oversea Service Ribbon. He retired with an honorable discharge with sufficient service in 2004. He continued to work as a civilian contractor for a Military Sealift Commander in New Jersey for a few years. With Mr. Thompson’s strong work ethic that didn’t stop him, he continued to work for the Department of Defense (DoD) in Transportation Harbormaster Operations Detachment at Joint Base Langley-Eustis till 2022.
He met Rossana in the beautiful country of Lima, Peru on one of his deployments in 1985. They married a year later, on his birthday, of course, so he wouldn’t forget their anniversary day. His interests were travelling with his wife and children to various places like Peru, Maine, and Las Vegas. Mr. Thompson was a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. When he was home from deployments, he would spend quality time with his wife and children, relax by listening to 80’s and 90’s greatest hits, hunting, attending D.C United soccer games, playing computer games, playing poker with his friends, attending various concerts and working on his corvettes. Mr. Thompson was a dog and cat lover.
Mr. Thompson was a loving husband, father, and grandparent. He was adventurous, kindhearted, outgoing and devoted his life to the military. He will be deeply missed by his loved ones; his legacy will be carried on.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Joan Thompson; his brother, Ronald Thompson and niece, Chelsea Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Rossana Thompson of 39 years; his children, Sarah, Nicholas and stepson, Ciro; grandchildren, Alessandra, Kai, Mason and Natalia; step-grandchildren, Austin and Preston; sister in law, Nancy McCusker Thompson; niece, Crystal; nephew, David; son-in-law, Don and daughter-in-law, Jessi.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Weymouth Funeral Home with Full Military Honors. The family will receive friends following the service.
