Obituary: 'Mike' Thompson

We parted with smiles and a “see you later." You took your last step on November 17, 2020, outside, under the big sunset sky.

Michael David Thompson (Mike) came into this world on March 17, 1951, the first born of Louise and Ken Thompson. He spent his early years exploring wild spaces around Tulelake, bundled up as an infant in blankets on ditch banks while his parents duck hunted, or from a cozy bed between them on the front seat of an old army jeep. Mike grew up in Siskiyou County with siblings Velma, Butch, Connie, Leif, Stacey, Kim, and Jan. His family moved from Tulelake to McCloud and then on to Mount Shasta where he graduated from high school in 1969.

Mike started college at Southern Oregon State College in Ashland in 1969 where he met his first wife, Terry. From there he continued on to UC Santa Barbara, along with younger sister Kim, earning Bachelor of Arts in fine arts in 1975, all while surfing and musing in the music of the Grateful Dead. Mike was an artist at heart, not only as a painter, craftsman and skilled woodworker, but also in the very way he saw the natural world and those around him. Every form of light, motion and language was a wonder with purpose and aesthetic meant to be appreciated. One who could not take a walk in the woods or tour the backroads of the West by bicycle (as he often did with his dear friends and family) without seeing the world in a more detailed and mindful way.

After moving back to Mt. Shasta, Mike and Terry had two daughters, Damiana (1979) and Camille (1987). Mike was a devoted father who never missed a recital, ski race or soccer game. He was forever patient, loving and adventurous as a father, traits that continued as a doting grandfather of five grandkids.

Mike’s passion for skiing started early in life. His first job at age 12 was at the Old Ski Bowl working nights cleaning the lodge and sleeping next to the fire in order to rise early to go skiing the next day. Motivated from the start to share his love for skiing with others, he became a ski instructor at the former Herald Ski School. Through the years he would spend most of the winter on skis, whether it was Mt. Shasta, Sun Valley, Alta or Taos. Years later, with the Old Ski Bowl no longer in operation and a desire to have accessible skiing for all who wanted it he and others hatched a plan for a new ski area on Mt. Shasta. With a few local backers, the dream of a family ski area became a reality in 1985 and Mt. Shasta Ski Park was born. Over the years Mike was the guiding force in bringing the joy of skiing to all who ventured up to the park whether to ski for the first, or thousandth time. It was his vision to build a ski area that skiers of all ages and abilities could enjoy; offering countless gestures of generosity and compassion such as the time he gave a single mom and her children free season passes when he realized they couldn’t even afford lift tickets for a single day. Such was Mike’s love for the mountains and belief that skiing makes the world a better place.

It was on a snowy ski slope that Mike met and fell in love with Mattie, his second wife. They married in 2005. Life with Mike was full of quiet conversations, books and plenty of adventure including backpacking in Eastern Oregon, camping anywhere a two person (plus dogs) tent would fit, or just watching the sun rise or set across expansive landscapes. Their love had an ease that filled them to his last day.

Mike leaves behind his wife, Mattie, and daughters, Damiana Maxwell (Aaron), Camille Mar (Nick) and Hannah Cathey, five grandchildren, Nayeli, Grayson, Arlo, Sawyer, and Fallon. Siblings Velma, Connie, Lief, Stacey, Kim and Jan. Along with many nieces and nephews.

Mike was a kind soul, a teacher, and a curious student continually seeking a different route and new contours that would take him and those he loved to new places. He will be remembered as “one of the good guys.” He was our Rock.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2021 at the Old Ski Bowl. Those who wish to make a donation in his name please consider one of his favorite organizations, the Oregon Natural Desert Association, Native Fish Society, or the Mt. Shasta Ski Team.