Roger P. Thompson

CARIBOU – Roger P. Thompson, 75, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 3, 2022 after a period of declining health.

Roger was born in Caribou on August 10, 1947 the son of Olin and Avis (Wright) Thompson. He was married to Beatrice Ann (Caldwell) Thompson on August 26, 1968. He attended Caribou Schools and graduated from Caribou High School with the class of 1965. Upon graduation he attended Ricker Classical Institute in Houlton, and then transferred to what is known today as University of Maine at Fort Kent, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s of science degree in education and was certified to teach kindergarten to grade 9. In the fall of 1969, he was under contract to teach grade 4 at Sincock School in Caribou. Mr. Thompson had a teaching career of over 40 years with the Caribou School System, now RSU 39. He taught many different grade levels as he moved from school to school. For 9 years he worked summers for the Aroostook County Action Program. This program was an open classroom grade 1 to grade 9 consisting of Spanish migrant students, a state funded program used as a summer day-time school while Hispanic parents from Mexico worked the broccoli fields. It was called the Broccoli Harvest School, his wife Beatrice, also helped with the program. In 1999, they went to Mexico to study the culture and the education systems that the students they were working with were accustomed to. This helped him to better understand the culture of his Hispanic students and the planning of their curriculum. During his 40 years of teaching he was recognized with a special award and was  published in Who’s Who Teachers of America. He also received special recognition as a teacher of writing by the Aroostook Write to Read district. Mr. Thompson also spent several years as co-director of the Caribou Middle School drama club, and also as curriculum director for 7th grade social studies. He will be fondly remembered by former students for special learning events, such as sleepovers at school, annual trips to Augusta to study the state legislature, meet the Governor, and visit the state museum. Another favorite of his students was climbing Quaggy Jo Mountain and then having a barbeque.

Roger loved his Lord and Savior, and accepted him at the early age of 14. He spent over 52 years as a member of the Caribou United Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, as well as serving on numerous church committees and organizations. Later in life, he started to attend local area Pentecostal churches. He and his wife Bea traveled to many churches throughout Maine and Canada with their son the Reverend Shannon Thompson. They enjoyed ministering to others as they sang unto the Lord. The Thompsons extended their ministry for the Lord by opening their garage for a time of prayer, singing and fellowship on Friday nights in the months of July and August. Many pastors, singers and groups from Maine and Canada travelled to be a part of this garage ministry and time of worship. He will be missed by his family including his son, The Reverend Shannon Thompson of Knoxford, New Brunswick, Canada, his brother and sister-in-law, Dana Thompson and wife Penny, a niece, Idella P. Thompson Marquis and husband Aaron of Caribou, a special friend, Mariel Thomas Stickles of Caribou, as well as many other special friends. He was predeceased by his wife of over 53 years, Beatrice Ann Thompson, his father, Olin Thompson Sr., his mother, Avis P. Thompson, his brother, Olin Thompson, Jr., paternal grandparents, Fred and Idella Thompson, maternal grandparents, Harry P. and Jennie Wright.

Friends may call at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou, Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 2PM to 4PM. A funeral service and time of celebration will be held at 2PM on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the Caribou United Baptist Church, 74 High Street, Caribou, with the Reverend Mark Dunfee officiating. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Caribou. A time of fellowship and celebration of his home going will follow in the church fellowship hall. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Thompson may do so through the Giddeon Bible International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214.