Charles Leigh Thompson, 94, of Columbia Falls and formerly of Cut Bank, passed away Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born Jan. 30, 1912, in Monticello, Minn., to Ray and Julia Thompson.

Charles graduated from the same high school as his father attended and also graduated from the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis. In 1932, he came to Montana with his parents, and he and his father worked in the oil fields. In 1934, Charles moved to Cut Bank, where he went to work for Carter Oil Company. That became part of Exxon Oil and he eventually retired from Exxon on Jan. 1, 1976, after 42 years.

He married Deloris M. Hartford on Sept. 3, 1936.

Charles was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Cut Bank and the Loyal Order of Moose. He was an avid sports fan. He loved watching baseball and even kept score of games of his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves.

He is survived by his wife, Deloris; his four sons, Teddy and Arla Thompson, Robert Thompson, Richard Thompson, and Ronald and Judy Thompson; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. The Rev. David Merkel will officiate. Burial will be afterward in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.