Clair “Dudley” Thompson, 95, of Lawton, IA, passed away surrounded by his family on June 22, 2025.  A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, June 26 from 5-7 p.m., with a time of sharing at 5:30 p.m. at the Senior Center in South Sioux City, NE, 1501 W. 29th St, South Sioux City, NE.  Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Clair was born on August 6,1929 in Ute, Iowa to Lydia and Percy Thompson in Ute Iowa.  Clair was the youngest of 4 children. He Graduated from Ute high School in 1947 with class size of twelve. He joined the Army in 1948 then was called up for Korea in 1951. He started playing guitar at 18 years old and never looked back and played with several bands but the one that stands out is with his brothers, Sons of Sage, he also played on KFCJ radio for 2 or 3 years as regular.  Clair only listened to 2 types of music, Country or Western and so that was all he played for over 75 years. He jammed with hundreds of other musicians through the years. 2017 Clair inducted into the hall of fame in Le Mars, Iowa for old time country music. He performed at Sioux City Senior Center and South Sioux City Senior center later on but played in hundreds of places over the 75 years.

Those left to honor his memory include his sons: Dale Thompson and Ronnie Thompson; daughter, Rhonda McNeely; 5 grandchildren: Zachary, Catlin, Aaron, Trevor and Jessie; and 7 great grandchildren: Hazel, Hunter, Claira, Alexa, Finley, Allison, Olivia.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Lloyd, Doris, and Duane.