Skip to content

Button Family in America

Ed Thompson, 1924–1968 (aged 43 years)

Name
Ed /Thompson/
Given names
Ed
Surname
Thompson
Birth February 13, 1924

31st President of the United States
Herbert Hoover
March 4, 1929 (aged 5 years)

32nd President of the United States
Franklin D Roosevelt
March 4, 1933 (aged 9 years)

33rd President of the United States
Harry S Truman
April 12, 1945 (aged 21 years)

34th President of the United States
Dwight D Eisenhower
January 20, 1953 (aged 28 years)

35th President of the United States
John F Kennedy
January 20, 1961 (aged 36 years)

36th President of the United States
Lyndon B Johnson
November 22, 1963 (aged 39 years)

Death January 30, 1968 (aged 43 years)
Banmethuot, Đắk Lắk Province, Vietnam
Note

Carl Edward Thompson was born February 13, 1924, in McKeesport, PA. He attended a C&MA church in New Kensington, PA, and was converted at the age of seventeen. Because of mistreatment at the hands of an unsympathetic stepfather, he had to leave home and shift for himself.

With all his belongings in a hatbox, Ed went to his Sunday school teacher who insisted that he stay with them. Finding employment in a hospital as an aide and later as an emergency room orderly, he saved his money to enter Nyack Missionary College. In 1941, three days before he was to enroll at Nyack, all of his money was stolen, but he continued with his plans. His call to the Lord’s service was confirmed in a remarkable way. He was preparing to register when a phone call informed him that funds would be available for his first year.

After graduation in 1946, Ed married Ruth Stebbins. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irving R. Stebbins, veteran missionaries in Vietnam.

After serving a Western Pennsylvania pastorate for over two years, they went to the field in 1949 and spent eight months in Dalat, Vietnam, in French language study. The following year they moved to Kratie, Cambodia, and established some churches.

In 1956 they began contact with the Mnong tribes-people. District work, youth conferences, short term Bible schools, and tribal ministries marked their third term. In 1965, all Americans had to leave Cambodia, and in 1966, the Thompsons were assigned to the Mnong people in Vietnam.

Both Ed and Ruth were killed January 31, 1968 when the Viet Cong attacked Banmethuot. This “Tet Massacre” also claimed the lives of five other missionaries.

Ed and Ruth had five children: David, Judy, Dale, Laurel, and Thomas.

Ed Thompson Biography

Ed Thompson

Vietnam/Cambodia, 1949-1968

Carl Edward Thompson was born February 13, 1924, in McKeesport, PA. He attended a C&MA church in New Kensington, PA, and was converted at the age of seventeen. Because of mistreatment at the hands of an unsympathetic stepfather, he had to leave home and shift for himself.

With all his belongings in a hatbox, Ed went to his Sunday school teacher who insisted that he stay with them. Finding employment in a hospital as an aide and later as an emergency room orderly, he saved his money to enter Nyack Missionary College. In 1941, three days before he was to enroll at Nyack, all of his money was stolen, but he continued with his plans. His call to the Lord’s service was confirmed in a remarkable way. He was preparing to register when a phone call informed him that funds would be available for his first year.

After graduation in 1946, Ed married Ruth Stebbins. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irving R. Stebbins, veteran missionaries in Vietnam.

After serving a Western Pennsylvania pastorate for over two years, they went to the field in 1949 and spent eight months in Dalat, Vietnam, in French language study. The following year they moved to Kratie, Cambodia, and established some churches.

In 1956 they began contact with the Mnong tribes-people. District work, youth conferences, short term Bible schools, and tribal ministries marked their third term. In 1965, all Americans had to leave Cambodia, and in 1966, the Thompsons were assigned to the Mnong people in Vietnam.

Both Ed and Ruth were killed January 31, 1968 when the Viet Cong attacked Banmethuot. This “Tet Massacre” also claimed the lives of five other missionaries.

Ed and Ruth had five children: David, Judy, Dale, Laurel, and Thomas.