Morris Maynard Thompson died Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at his home in Durango, Colo. He was 92 years old and died of natural causes. He was born October 31, 1919, in McKenzie, N.D., to Charles W. and Anna Hamre Thompson. He attended public schools in McKenzie and Moffit, N.D., graduating from Moffit High School in 1938. From 1939 through the summer term of 1941, he attended Minot State Teacher's College, receiving a two-year teaching standard. While there he took a government Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) Course, and received his private pilot license. After Pearl Harbor, he joined the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program, graduating from the 42G advanced flying school in Roswell, N.M., in June 1942 with a pilot rating of 2nd Lieutenant. He was then assigned to a twin engine medium bomber group that had been formed by some of the members of the General Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. After a few months' training, the Bomb Group flew their B-26 aircraft to North Africa via what was called the "Southern Route,” leaving from West Palm Beach on to Puerto Rico, Natal, across the Atlantic to Ascencion Island, then up the west coast of Africa to Algeria. From there operations were set up to bomb targets in Italy and associated islands. In a raid over Italy, his aircraft was hit by flak, causing his crew to bail out. He was captured by the Germans and spent 19 months as a P.O.W. in Germany. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1945, he married Gladys Edholm in Spokane, Wash. They had two sons, Greg and Roger. In addition to numerous military assignments in the United States, he had foreign service in Japan, Taiwan, and Iceland. After 22 years he retired from the U.S.A.F. as a Lt. Colonel. Using the G.I. Bill, he continued his education at Trinity of Texas, receiving a bachelor of science degree in education. In 1965 he moved to Durango and accepted the position of a sixth grade teacher at Needham Elementary, which he held for six years. He then took a position of a lift operator at Purgatory, which he held several years. After this he limited his activities to fishing at Electra Lake and golfing at Hillcrest Golf Club. He was a Life Member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #507, and a member of the Hillcrest Golf Club. He was preceded in death by a son, Roger, a sister Arrah, and three brothers -- Orval, Kenneth, and Charles, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gladys of Durango, son, Greg Thompson, of Durango, Colorado, granddaughter, Stacy, of Pennsylvania, grandson, Greg, Jr., of Florida, sisters Irma and Lila, brother Harold, and numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place with the ashes interred at Greenmount Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Durango, Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jeff Dobesh of First Baptist Church will officiate.