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Author
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Topic: My Final Post on Dan Thompson
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Mark Zepp
PAKMAN
Member # 3400
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posted January 03, 2012 04:35 PM
Dan Thompson waves farewell one last time.
September 20th, 1943 – December 26th, 2011
On New Years Eve, 2011, the phone rang and I was once again reminded how precious, fleeting and quickly our time on earth, and this thing we call “life”, passes.
The message was from a friend in Nevada who informed me that Dan Thompson, at the age of 68, passed away the day after Christmas. Born September 20th, 1943 in Niagara Falls, NY he was a long-time resident of Rawlins, Wyoming, which is in the heart of his beloved Red Desert, a place he seemed to know like the back of his hand.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda.
I think I am qualified to say a few things about Dan; I was lucky enough to spend several months with he and his late wife Wanda, back in 1997. I was living out of my van, traveling the west and stopped in Rawlins to meet him. I knew then, that instant, that it was a great day for me and have come to appreciate it even more as the years have passed. What a common bond we shared, coyotes, and a great friendship that was formed.
Meeting Dan Thompson, when I did, and how I did, had a profound impact on my life. Without him, the DVD Callin’ Coyotes with Mark Zepp and some of his Friends, and our small business, Zepp’s Predator calls, would have never happened. I am forever indebted to him if for no other reason.
Dan Thompson was a Wolfer in every sense of the word. He was a pilot and had a complete and thorough understanding of aerial gunning, traps, snares, dogging, 1080, M-44’s, skinning, tumbling, was an expert in coyote vocalizations and every other aspect related to coyotes. I can say without a doubt, he forgot more about coyotes than many of today’s most popular names and most guys simply are not worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as Dan Thompson.
He often told me he was happy to have been born when he was and young when the fur boom hit in the late 70’s… of nights sleeping under his truck and gasoline stashes’ set out in the desert and living off the land. He named some of his calls after the special places that meant the most to him, The Red Desert Howler, and The Sweetwater Howler.
Although I frequently disagreed with his opinion of people, products and politics, I have always said that I am Dan’s Thompson’s greatest admirer. Like all of us he had some flaws, some holes, some chinks in his armor and some of those got a little bigger as he got older, but don’t hold that against him, if that is the Dan you knew. I knew him in his glory and can hear him laughing now, what a great guy to be around. I know what a positive influence he had on my life and countless others and how much he loved this great sport of ours. I am a better man, person, and absolutely 10,000 times better coyote hunter because of Dan Thompson. Some guys can talk a good game, he could walk and talk it…..and shoot like few others. He had over 5,000 coyotes to his name, most of them taken in his younger years.
What an influence he had on our sport, this “little guy” who worked out of a make shift shop in his garage. Many of today’s most popular calls and tone boards are copies of his original designs and ideas and it is a shame that we live in a world where he didn’t get a little more credit for that.
He came from humble beginnings and would give the shirt off his back to you if he liked and respected you. He was uncomfortable in front of crowds and knew nothing about how to “market” himself as the expert he was in today’s world, he simply was what he was, direct and straight forward to a flaw at times. You didn’t have to wonder where you stood with Dan and maybe the world needs a little bit more of that in people. He would be the first to tell you he was far from perfect.
In the days since his passing, I have said to my wife at least one hundred times, “I cannot believe Dan Thompson is gone”, because to those of us who really knew him, it just seemed like Dan was part coyote himself and capable of escaping anything. He aged well and put a lot of miles on his 68 year old frame and, if anyone could, it seemed like he would be the one to find a way to avoid that final dirt hole set, or snare that had hung for several months in a fence line, or get down wind and sniff out trouble and laugh as he went on his way.
But in this precious game called “Life”, Dan’s death should remind all of us once again, that no one gets out alive. Dan passed away in his shop, from a heart attack, almost fittingly, while working on calls.
He left a legacy behind in the calls that bore his name and the students he instructed.
He also left behind family and friends who dearly miss him and scores of coyotes who will sleep a little better tonight knowing he gone.
Although he was tough and hard and grizzled, he never failed to ask me how my wife and son were and tell me how happy he was for me. He met me when I was young and wild and free but always urged me to settle down and have some kids of my own, “There is nothing like your own kids”, he would tell me. I hope he let his own children know how proud he was of them, how much he loved them, but sometimes, those tough guys are terrible communicators… In our talks over the years and through countless hours walking to and from stands I can tell you that he loved his wife and kids more than anything.
I urge everyone who hasn’t talked to an old friend in a while to pick up the phone and give them a call. A few days before Christmas, I called Dan…. I had not talked to him in far too long and wanted to check in on him and make sure he was alright…. admittedly, most of our communication over the years was one way but that is just how he was. He was upbeat and as positive as I’d heard him in years. His struggling little business was back on the mend and his son was home, he was at peace and some of his inner demons seemed to be gone. I slept a little better last night knowing that the last words I ever said to Dan Thompson were, “Merry X-mas, I love you old man.”
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Danny Jr. and his daughters Estrella, Ivy, Jamie and the rest of his family.
Our sport lost one of the good guys; our country lost one who helped defend our freedoms.
Rest in Peace my old friend; I’ll see you on top of the Mountain.
God Speed,
Big Mark
Posts: 9 | From: Vail, AZ | Registered: Jan 2009
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted January 03, 2012 05:57 PM
Mark, Thanks for sharing your experiences with Dan Thompson through your video and by sharing the bad news of his passing.
I'm really glad you had Dan featured in your first video because that along with an article about him quite a few years ago in the VHA mag, was all I knew about him. I can honestly say though from your video, Dan sure seemed to me like the real deal and was a guy living life the way he wanted too.
Again, thanks for sharing your personal thoughts and experiences with the man.
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted January 03, 2012 06:03 PM
Does anybody happen to remember the article about Dan Thompson in the VHA mag from at least 10-15 years ago? I want to say the article was titled something like "3000 Coyotes An interview with Dan Thompson." Not sure though if that is correct or who the author even was?
I know VHA Prez, Jeff Rheborg, swings through here occasionally and maybe he would know?
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted January 03, 2012 09:21 PM
Give me a close date of when and I'll look it up. Been with the V.H. since the beginning.....
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5621 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted January 03, 2012 09:51 PM
Gosh TA, I wish I could give you a close date, but this was before I was a VHA member. My copies go back to #35 of year 2000. Best guess would be a year or two before this. I tried the google route and #29 might be the one?
Thanks for offering.
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted January 03, 2012 10:10 PM
I'm going out tonight so I'll look into it later tommorrow...
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5621 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Jeff Rheborg
Knows what it's all about
Member # 2551
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posted January 04, 2012 07:34 AM
The article is in the January 1999 #29 magazine. I to was shocked when I read of Dan's passing. He was quite the guy. I met him while hunting the Nationals a few years years back. He and his coyote were quite entertaining to say the least, they made a good pair. I know he will surely be missed.
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Jeff Rheborg
Posts: 12 | From: Pierre, SD | Registered: Mar 2008
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted January 04, 2012 05:39 PM
Thanks Jeff.
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Lone Howl
Free Trial Platinum Member & part-time language police
Member # 29
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posted January 05, 2012 11:52 AM
Very nice writeup Mark Zepp.
I spoke to Dan a few times, on the phone, over the years, about calls and stuff, and he helped me out quite a bit. In the small world of callmakers I am nobody, but Dan was one of my influences and I love his calls.
He'll be missed for sure.
Mark
[ January 05, 2012, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: Lone Howl ]
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When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003
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coyotehunter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 3282
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posted January 05, 2012 10:16 PM
I talked to him on the phone a few times myself. Called and talked to him and his wife Wanda about tournaments. We talked about rules and some of the problems he had seen and had experienced first hand running coyote tournaments. Most of my opinion of him was based on the talks I have had about him over the years with Big Mark. I have been friends with Craig O'Gorman for many years. He can ruffle some feathers at times but if your his friend you could not ask for a better friend. That was always the impression I got from Mark about Dan. Sorry you lost your friend Mark, friends like that are hard to come by these days. Every time his name would come up, I could hear your laugh as you told a story about him. He made some great calls, I know my dad and brother had talked with him several times on the phone about coyotes and calls. He was always very gracious to them and answered all their questions. Wish now I had taken the time to drive down and meet him. My best to his family.
Posts: 55 | From: west | Registered: Oct 2008
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