Gayle Robert Thompson, 86, of Nokomis, FL died August 13, 2025.

He was born December 12, 1938, in St. Joseph, Illinois, to Robert and Almedah White Thompson.

A 1957 graduate of Unity High School, Gayle graduated in 1961 from the United States Naval Academy, where he became a naval aviator and military test pilot.

He was a member of the 8-man rowing team that won the Olympic Trials competition to represent the United States at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, where the team finished fifth.

In 1991, Gayle was honored as one of the first names included in the Champaign (Illinois) Park District's Olympic Tribute at Dodds Park. In 2022, he was inducted into the Unity High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his son Jeff and daughter-in-law Jackie; granddaughter Caitlyn; daughter-in-law Robin; grandson Garrison; sister Jan Renn of Goreville, IL; and sister Judy Wirth of Naples, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife Susan; son Greg; and sister Barbara Watson.

A celebration of life is planned for a later date, following his internment in the Sarasota (FL) National Cemetery