Samuel W. Thompson, Sr., 57, of Calhoon Farm Road, died suddenly in Cabo San Lucus, Mexico on October 28th, 2008. He was born in Montpelier on January 18, 1951, the son of Walter Thompson and Isabelle (Armington) Thompson. He received his education from Montpelier High School. Sam worked for the State of Vermont for 39 years, most of that time with the Department of Motor Vehicles; and currently a Motor Vehicle Inspector. He was a former member of the East Montpelier Fire Department and Fast Squad. He was a former select board member for the town of Walden and served as a Caledonia County Deputy Sheriff. He was also active in the Child Seat Safety Program which was an educational program that would teach the proper use of child safety seats throughout the state. Sam was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He was an active outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing, camping, boating and swimming; his beloved dogs and his vegetable garden. Above all else he loved his family and the times spent traveling the world with them. Sam was very proud and excited to hear that he would soon be a grandfather again. He is survived by his wife Susan Thompson, whom he married on May 31, 1996. He is also survived by his daughter and step daughter, Tara Sue Lange and her son Benjamin of Denver, Colorado, and Tara Sherwood-Churchill and her unborn child; sons, Samuel W. Thompson, Jr of Portland, OR and Joshua Thompson of Denver, Colorado; sisters, Sandra Thompson of Barre, VT, Nancy Duffy of Berlin, VT, Linda Devine of Barre, VT, and Faith Copeland of Barre, VT; brother, Peter Thompson of West Chesterfield, NH. Calling hours will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, November 3, 2008 at the Guare & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier. Committal service will immediately follow at the Middlesex Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Samuel Thompson Scholarship Fund, c/o Vermont State Employee Credit Union, PO Box 67, Montpelier, VT 05601; ATTN: Mark Basa.