David "Dave" Lee Thompson, Sr., 76, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully at UPMC-Western Maryland after a short but courageous battle with AML.

Born on Aug. 14, 1947, in Cumberland, Md., he was the son of the late Donald "Red" Thompson and Betty Jane (Breighner) Thompson. Also waiting at the gates of Heaven to meet him were his beloved dogs, Molly, Ginger, and Cheyanne; and his uncle and aunt, Ted and Colleen Durbin.

Growing up in Little Egypt, when Dave's parents couldn't find him, they would eventually see him sitting at the bar in the K-Bar, in his diaper, drinking chocolate milk. A story that's been told many times. Dave was a 1965 graduate of Fort Hill High School. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy, serving from 1966 to 1969. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran. Dave was a member of the local VVA Chapter #172, where he served on the color guard. Following his return from the war, Dave began working at Cumberland Steel and then Kelly Springfield until its closing. He then went on to own his own dump trucks and ran an independent trucking company.

Eventually, Dave would begin driving 18-wheelers across the country with his loyal companion, Cheyanne, in the passenger seat. After spending many years on the road, he could give you directions to anywhere right off the top of his head. If you were ever stuck in traffic, you could bet that Dave would have a secondary route to get around it. After retiring from driving trucks, Dave found joy in driving the ACPS school bus for special needs kids and continued driving the bus up until his passing.

Dave was a member of LaVale Baptist Church and loved to spread the love of Jesus to others. He was very true to his faith. He loved riding motorcycles and was the chaplain of the H.I.D.E Foundation and ABATE. After moving to Bowling Green, Dave became a member of the Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department. He was very loyal to all the organizations he was a part of and was there to support them at every event he could.

Most of all, Dave was a pappy to eight grandkids and 13 great-grandkids. He loved his grandkids with all his heart and they will all miss him forever.

Dave is survived by his two sons, David "Davy" Thompson, Jr. and wife, Beth, and Jason Thompson and wife, Katrina; grandchildren, Brandon Thompson and wife, Jackie, Josh Thompson and wife, Izzy, Seth Thompson, and Jordan Thompson and fiancé, Dylan Williams; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Jane Ross and husband, Rick; nieces, Tracie Wilson and husband, Shawn and Julie Ross; special cousin, Dr. Terry Durbin and wife, Barbara; longtime friend and mother to his children, Linda Thompson; step-grandchildren, Justin Sirbaugh and wife, Lorah, Kevin O'Donnell, Emily O'Donnell, Melissa Leeson and husband, Larry; and his beloved dog, Ginger. He is also survived by spouse, Donna Miller.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 1, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Adams Family Funeral Home, 404 Decatur Street, Cumberland, Md.

A funeral service will be held at the Adams Family Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, beginning at 11 a.m., with Pastor Jim Jeffries officiating.

Interment will follow with military honors at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Rocky Gap, 14205 Pleasant Valley Rd NE, Flintstone, MD.

The family would like to thank the 7 south floor staff at UPMC-Western Maryland for their care and compassion in the past few days, with a special thank you to nurses Carissa and Dana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to an organization close to Dave's heart, the H.I.D.E Foundation, c/o Gary Miller, 14516 Hazen Road, Cumberland, Md.