Ray Henslee Thompson
April 18, 2021
Chief Master Sergeant Ray Henslee Thompson, 77, died at home on April 18, 2021. Believing in the power of perseverance, he inspired others by overcoming childhood polio to enlist in the Air Force out of high school. Ray earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Texas where he met and married Deborah Haney after a three-month courtship. Ray used his skills as an educator to foster success in others. Teaching in South Texas and the Navajo Reservation, providing educational guidance to the Army and the Navy as a civil servant, entertaining thousands as a master hypnotist, creating Hypnosis and More Stage Shows, Inc, his 77 years are defined by the lives he touched. Moving to Des Moines in 1984, Ray joined the Iowa Air National Guard, retiring in 2002. Volunteer work throughout his life allowed him to continue meeting new people and collecting stories to share. He was named 2017’s Showman of the Year by the Association of Iowa Fairs, and he was proudest of family.
Ray is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deborah; his five children, Thomas (Rita), Samuel (Alison), Jacob (David), Lucas (Amanda) and Jane Elizabeth; his siblings, Carol, Paul, and Patti; and his eight beloved grandchildren, Jakob, Wyatt, Aubree, Prudence, Lucy, Everett, Freya, and Jasper. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Dot Thompson.
Services will be held Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be directed to University of Iowa Cancer Research Center and condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Only Ray’s body has left us, his spirit lives on in all of us lucky enough to have known him.
Michael Garrett
04/19/2021
I had the pleasure of working with Ray at the 132nd FW. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word or joke too share. He was always interested in how people were doing and willing to help a member. He will be missed by many friends.
Condolences and prayers too his family 🙏
Tom Hayes
04/19/2021
What a great man and fellow soldier, we had such fun and great moments. So entertaining seeing fellow troops cluck like a chicken. Rest in peace brother!
Dave & Pat Brommel
04/19/2021
We both had the pleasure of serving with Ray. Ray would light up the room when he entered. Ray was and will continue to be an inspiration to all. Prayers to the family. Your watch is over, RIP.
Debi Bartow
04/19/2021
Ray had a way of meeting people on his tours and making you feel as if you had known each other forever. I am blessed to have met him. May God give his family strength to get through this loss.