Claire Elaine "Laney" Thompson

Claire “Elaine” Thompson age 96, passed away at Ochoco Village Assisted Living in Prineville, OR. She was born slightly ahead of her twin (Camille) on December 30, 1919 to Charles and Edna Coons in Glenmora, LA. At an early age her parents along with her twin and older sister Frances moved from Louisiana to Pine Ridge just outside Chiloquin, OR where her father was transferred to work for Forrest Lumber Co. Elaine and Camille had the distinction of being not only the first set of twins to attend the Chiloquin school system but also the first students to complete the entire 12 years there, graduating in 1937. As a result of a fire that destroyed the Forrest Lumber Co. in Chiloquin, the entire family eventually moved to Prineville, OR in 1939 where Charlie began a lengthy career with Ochoco Lumber Co. In Prineville Elaine met and married Sylvain Michel in 1941 and they had one son, Charles (Binky) Michel born in 1942. The first marriage resulting in divorce, Elaine entered into a second marriage to Ray Thompson in 1952. A logging contract required a move to Colorado (first Norwood, then Pagosa Springs) and they spent several years in that venturebefore moving back to the Portland area to start a new business. While in Portland Elaine was employed as a Supervisor in the Regional Credit Office for J.C. Penney Co. Ultimately Elaine and Ray moved back to Prineville in 1982. During the succeeding years as Ray had retired, Elaine worked in several positions among them as Manager of the Cinnabar restaurant and as a school bus driver for theCrook County School District. She also volunteered at the local Museum, the Chamber of Commerce, Meals on Wheels, and in other areas resulting in her being named “Crook County Citizen of the Year” in 1997.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Edna Coons, her twin sister Camille, and her husband Raymond Thompson. Survivors include son Charles and beloved daughter-in-law Patti, sister Frances Juris of Prineville, stepson Denny (Marlene) Michel of Roseburg, and step-daughter Barbara Thompson Weatherford (Jim) Mistic of Longview, WA., ten step-grandchildren, a niece and two nephews.

Arrangements are through Prineville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances suggested to St. Charles Hospice-Prineville, or

Prineville Presbyterian Church.

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