Nathaniel Vanhook Thompson

MADISON- Nathaniel VanHook Thompson died on May 7, 2014 at the age of 22. Nathan was born on June 3, 1991 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to Gilbert G. Thompson and Annette VanHook Thompson. He was the final perfect addition for a family of five, joining older sisters Rachel Marie and Sarah Elaine.Nathan’s love of learning was evident early on in his life. Nathan always had a book or two with him to read. While his older sisters played softball, Nathan could be found sitting outside the dugout in a lawn chair, reading away. Nathan later worked at the Juneau Public Library, oftentimes using his paychecks to buy even more books. Nathan loved going to church and studying the Bible. His faith in Jesus Christ grew through the years as he was surrounded by loving parents, sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Summer church camps and summer travelling were favorites of Nathan’s. Nathan loved travelling, especially to North Carolina where sandcastles and seafood were daily delights. A Mystery Science Theater fan, Nathan loved films, both good and bad. Nathan was Valedictorian for the Dodgeland High School Class of 2010. Nathan played in the high school band, participated in musicals and mock trial and never had a study hall, filling each hour of the school day with as many Advanced Placement classes as he could. He arrived at college in the fall of 2010 with over a year’s worth of college credit already earned. During his high school years Nathan served the Lord on various mission trips, travelling to South America, Florida and Jamaica. Mission trips were the perfect combination for Nathan – travelling somewhere new to serve others in the name of the Lord. Summers of his high school years were also spent at Arrowhead Church Camp where Nathan was baptized and would later serve as a camp counselor. Nathan graduated with honors in May, 2013 from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, majoring in Philosophy. Nathan was an active member of the Navigators, a Christian fellowship organization. While in college Nathan led Bible Studies in the dormitories and mentored fellow students in their walk with Christ. Nathan truly cared for the souls of his fellow students. Through the Navigators Ministry Nathan formed his closest friendships, growing and learning with friends Nathan and Isaac. Nathan finished college in three years and attended graduate school in the fall of 2013 at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Nathan studied philosophical theology before taking a leave of absence. Upon his return to Wisconsin Nathan soon gained employment at Epic in Verona where he served as a project manager. College friends described Nathan as an absolutely brilliant and caring man who possessed an innate ability to help people understand their purpose in life, a man who would sacrifice his own time and resources to help others in their time of need, a person who made all feel welcome, a man who helped others persevere through struggles and a man who placed the needs of others above his own. Family members recall his loving, kind, generous nature, his sense of humor, his love for God, his passion for studying God’s Holy Word and his compassion for those in need. Nathan leaves behind a loving family, who miss him terribly and find comfort in Paul’s writing to the Romans in Chapter 8: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Funeral services will be held at BLACKHAWK CHURCH, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton at 7 PM on Thursday, May 15, 2014. Funeral services will be held at BLACKHAWK CHURCH, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton at 7 PM on Thursday, May 15, 2014. Committal will be at Myers Cemetery, 2785 North Hampton Road, Springfield, Ohio on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 11 AM. Memorials in Nathaniel's name may be given to The Navigators at www.navigators.org. or The Navigators, c/o Jeff Vandenberg, 906 Mohican Pass, Madison, WI 53711. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761