LOREN ASHTON THOMPSON
Jan. 19, 1942–Nov. 2, 2025
Loren Ashton Thompson, 83, of Apache Junction, Arizona, passed away Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
Loren, the oldest of three children, was born Jan. 19, 1942, to parents Kenneth Loren Thompson and Amy Rovilla (Weaver) in Newcastle, Wyoming.
Growing up, Loren enjoyed participating in clubs and activities, includ-
ing Boy Scouts, Junior NRA, DeMolay, football, basketball and Knights of Pythias, among many others. Loren graduated from Newcastle High School on May 25, 1960; he was the Student
Council president.
After high school, Loren attended the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy. During that time, he married his long-time girlfriend and the love of his life, Lois Ann Richey, on Aug. 22, 1964. They had three children, Leslee Ann in 1965, Lane Allen in 1969 and Laurel
Ann in 1971.
Loren Thompson graduated from the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy with the Class of 1966. He began his career as a staff pharmacist, serving for six years before becoming a pharmacy manager — a role in which he excelled for the next 25 years. Loren was head of pharmacy at Osco Drug in Sheridan, Wyoming, from 1977–1990, when he and Lois Ann moved back to Laramie, Wyoming.
In 1994, Loren returned to his alma mater as an associate lecturer in the School of Pharmacy. He later became the Professional Experience coordinator, overseeing student placements for clinical rotations in hospital and community pharmacies throughout the Mountain West, a role that shaped the lives and careers of hundreds of future pharmacists. Beloved by students, alumni, and colleagues, he retired from the University of Wyoming in 2004.
Loren was an accomplished pharmacist, educator, and leader in the profession. Over the course of his distinguished career, he received numerous honors, including the Idaho State Pharmaceutical Association Pharmacist of the Year Award (1978), the PayLess Drug Stores Pharmacist of the Year Award (1992), and the Mortar Board “Top Professor” Award (1998 and 2002). He was also a member of the Idaho Pharmacy Association House of Delegates and served as president of the Capital Pharmacy Association. Deeply committed to advancing pharmacy practice, he was active in multiple state and national pharmacy and rural health associations, and contributed to the field through numerous presentations and publications.
After retiring from UW, Loren and Lois Ann moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico, and then in 2018 they moved to Casa
Grande, Arizona.
Anyone who knew them knows they bled brown and gold. Loren’s favorite hobbies included attending UW football and basketball games, golfing, camping, fishing, hunting, traveling and sharing those experiences with family and friends. They also loved cooking for everyone!
Loren was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Rovilla Thompson of Newcastle; his brother, Donald
Leslie (died in infancy); his wife, Lois Ann (Richey) Thompson of Casa
Grande; and his son-in-law, Samuel Miller of Why, Arizona.
He is survived by his sister, Lavonne, and her husband, Harry Roberts of Newcastle, their son, Rob Roberts of Rapid City, South Dakota, their daughter, Ann Cottrell of Newcastle, and
their children.
Loren is also survived by his daughter, Leslee Thompson of Why; his son, Lane Thompson and his wife, Shannon of Mesa, their son Blade Thompson and his wife Nicole of Sheridan, Wyoming, (Cassandra 6 and Xavier 2), their daughter, Ashley Thompson of Mesa; his daughter, Laurel and her husband, Chris Waggoner of Melbourne, Florida, their daughters, 1st Lt. Morgan Waggoner of Whiteman AFB, Missouri, (Jackson 20 mos.) and Skylar Waggoner of Melbourne (attending ULM). Loren is also survived by many dear cousins whom he loved very much.
Loren: whether you called him son, brother, uncle, cousin, husband, Dad, Papa or friend, he loved you and he loved sharing his stories with you. Loren battled Alzheimer’s, and it was difficult for his family to watch him lose his memories and stories, eventually losing his battle. The family is planning an intimate celebration of life in early summer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org, in Loren’s name.