TRAVERSE CITY — Carole Gene Thompson, 69, longtime resident and pharmacy owner of Traverse City, passed away Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, at Munson Medical Center, following a seven-year battle with cancer. Carole was born on Aug. 20, 1942, to Richard A. Green and Ethel M. (Kroupa) Green, in Detroit. She moved to Traverse City at an early age, graduating from Traverse City Central in 1960. She attended Central Michigan University for two years, then entered Ferris State University Pharmacy School in 1962.In a first term lab she was partnered with a fellow pharmacy student, Gregory Boyd Thompson. The two hit it off and became partners in life, entering into marriage in Traverse City on Aug. 29, 1964. Upon graduation in 1966, Carole and Greg worked Community Drug in Midland until joining her father in his pharmacy in Traverse City in 1967. Upon the death of her mother, Ethel in 1976, we renamed the front street pharmacy Thompson Pharmacy, and grew from there. She handled all the financial aspects of the business; Greg brought in new lines of medicinal equipment or new services, and she had to arrange to pay for it. In addition, she worked as a pharmacist, personnel manager, homemaker, child-raiser and wife. Over the years, daughter, Lisa and son, Mark, both pharmacists, joined Thompson Pharmacy. Carole was a wonderful friend, very even tempered, fair, non-confrontational, supportive and had a quiet, quick, last word sense of humor. She enjoyed traveling, boating, golf, gardening and her wonderful Maltipoo, Sophie. She was a past member of Zonta and a member with Greg of the Traverse City Golf and Country Club for over 40 years. She spent a lot of time boating with another group of friends — days rafted off at the island or at the bottom of the bay and traveling the northwest coast of Michigan. She was fortunate to have a winter place In Orange Beach, Ala., and enjoyed her "other" group of close friends in Bayshore Towers. She made friends there in the music business through the home concerts after hurricane Ivan in 2004, beginning with the Cairns and Doug & Donna Concerts arranged by Larry Book. Many Nashville songwriters performed over the years. Carole is survived by her adoring and loving husband, Gregory Boyd Thompson; her children, Lisa (Chad) DeBolt and Mark (Robyn) Thompson, all of Traverse City; grandchildren, Briana, Erica, Logan and Lauren DeBolt, Tyler Thompson and a very anticipated granddaughter, Brooklyn Thompson to arrive in less than a month; her sister-in-law, Stephanie Thompson (Mashall McIntosh), Linda (Gary) Fulmer; brother-in-law, Gary (Patricia) Thompson; nieces, Christina (Charlie) Reinhof and Courtney Thompson; nephews, Colby Thompson, Derek Fulmer and Kevin Fulmer; three stepbrothers, Jim (Kathi) Downer, David (Sally) Downer and Doug (Laurie) Downer; sister-in-law, Mary Downer; first cousins, Jerry (Nancy) Kroupa, Linda Kroupa and Gene Kroupa; and Carole and Greg's all time favorite dog, Sophie. Carole was preceded in death by her parents; father and mother-in-law, Tommy and Louise Thompson; stepmother, Jane Downer Green; sister, Lynda; and stepbrother, Roger Downer.An opportunity to visit with the family and friends and to celebrate Carole's life will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.Memorial contributions may be directed to the Father Fred Foundation.Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .