Michael Fredrick Thompson
December 29, 1962-September 29, 2024

Michael Fredrick Thompson, 61, passed away peacefully at home encircled by the love of his family. He will be remembered with tremendous affection as a loving husband, father, stepdad, uncle and grandpa. He was a one of a kind gentleman. He bravely battled Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer since the fall of 2022. Mike navigated the last two years with courage and class. He was always considerate, kind and truly never complained even though he deeply wanted more time with family, friends and music.

Mike was born in St. Louis Missouri to Lucretia Chairo Thompson and Geoffrey Fredrick Thompson. He was the oldest of 5 siblings. When his father finished his doctorate in chemistry he moved the family to Sunnyvale CA. It was there that Mike made lifelong friends. He roamed the neighborhood and Ortega Park with his pals. His first job was a paper route in his neighborhood. He attended Inverness elementary school and Ortega Jr High in Sunnyvale and then Bellarmine College Preparatory High School in San Jose. He had countless escapades with his friends during his teen years that he recounted with humor. His father’s love of boating and sailing took the family on many summer boating excursions. As a teen, Mike’s love of music became a passion. The music of Camel, King Crimson/Beat, Rush, Genesis, Peter Gabriel (Mike and his dear friend Gianni saw Peter Gabriel perform 4 times together), Pink Floyd, The Beatles and ambient sounds — i.e., Brian Eno — were pivotal for him. He was inspired by musician Tony Levin and bought/self taught his own Chapman Stick when few people even knew what the instrument was. In his homes over the years he designed music rooms that included his beloved U8 touch guitar. His final music room was his absolute favorite.

After high school Mike worked as a bartender while trying to make his musical passion a vocation. He played Bass guitar and Chapman Stick for two bands Arms and Legs and Show and Tell. At the age of 25 he received a bachelor degree from the San Francisco State University Broadcasting Department, specializing in Audio Production.

At the age of 30 Mike graduated from Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and became licensed as a Radiologic Technologist. Mike moved north with his wife Christine Thompson to Eureka where they started a family and he began his career at General Hospital. After a few years he began working at St Joseph Hospital in the Cath Lab. He became the lead tech in interventional radiology, but he was much more than that. He was the heart of the department and its leader for 29 years. His work ethic was tireless. Mike was cherished by his colleagues. He brought a calm and kind demeanor to his practice. He never complained about even the most exhausting/stressful days. He gained knowledge and experience that became invaluable. Mike was a “place of comfort during stressful situations.” His team relied heavily on him and two years later, they still feel his absence at work. He retired due to his cancer diagnosis in September of 2022.

The big loves of Mike’s life were his family. His greatest joy came from being a father to his son Colin and daughters Serena and Kailynn, father in law to their partners Maddy and Matthew, stepfather to Dante and Grandpa to Liam and Owen. He was a proud, protective Dad. He adored being a grandfather to Liam and Owen (Colin and Maddy’s sons). He developed a special bond with Liam as he got to spend one day a week with him for nearly 2 years. He was thrilled to meet baby Owen and see his first three months of growth and development.

Twelve years after his first marriage concluded, he married the love of his life, Eileen Kitinoja. Mike and Eileen squeezed as much love and magic into the last 2 and ½ years as they could.

Mike spent his free time in nature in and all around Humboldt County. He and Eileen had a special fondness for Mendocino weekend getaways. He enjoyed photography and videos. He loved to get lost in his world of arranging ambient sounds with unique looping elements. Design with placement of special effect lights came easily to him. He could create a magical space with attention and ease. He turned a house into a home with love and details. He collected driftwood over the years, creating many beautiful pieces. In July of 2023 there was an installation of his driftwood art at the Redwood Art Association Studio. At this show he also performed his ambient music during Arts Alive.

Mike respected all of the women in his life, “having grown up with three sisters and working in the female dominated profession of health care for 29 years”. He felt protective of his daughter’s rights. He was eager to vote in this presidential election. He looked forward to finally having a female president. He felt excited by the campaign, but unfortunately missed his opportunity to vote.

Mike is missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his loving wife, Eileen Kitinoja, his children Colin (partner Maddy), Serena (partner Matthew) Kailynn and stepson Dante. He is also survived by his grandchildren Liam and Owen, his sister Suzanne (husband Steve, children Kellen, Christian and Casey), his brother Geoff (wife Kim, children Noah and Odessa), his sister Carolyn (husband Brian, children Dominic and Alexa) his sister Ann (husband Jay, children Brooklyn and Aiden) and his dear mother Lucretia Thompson and her dog Charlie. He was predeceased by his father Geoffrey Thompson.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on his birthday December 29, 2024 at the Wharfinger building in Eureka from 1-4 p.m.

In honor of Mike please make space in your busy calendar to go for a walk on the beach or walk a local forest trail. Visit the Sequoia Park Zoo or go to Old Town to peruse the music stores. Get a bite to eat at a local restaurant. Catch a sunrise or a sunset. Enjoy all that Humboldt has to offer because any and all of it was special to Mike.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mike Thompson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.