Dairriel Dean Thompson, 88, of Kingman, died peacefully in his sleep December 1, 2024, from cardio problems associated with dementia. Dairriel and his wife, Linda, owned and operated Thompson’s Mohave Muffler for 32 years. He is preceded in death by his sister, Janelle Owens; brothers Kenneth Thompson and John Wagner. Left behind is his wife of 36 years, Linda; brother Ted (Dory) Thompson of California along with children Rhonda (David) Rhodes from Silver City, New Mexico; Gary Thompson of Tucson; Dean Thompson (Georgiana) from Holbrook; Lane Richins of Moscow, Idaho; Lori (Danny) Baldonado from Holbrook. He also has many grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dairriel was born to Iva Mae Huddleston and Theodore Haskell Thompson on February 5, 1936, in Waldron (Forrester) Arkansas. His family moved to Williams, Ariz., in 1941. Dairriel graduated from Williams High School, served two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Dugway, Utah. Following his service, Dairriel attended trade school in Phoenix after which he opened a Shell Gas station in Williams. In 1968 Dairriel and his family moved to Holbrook, opening his station and muffler shop. In 1989 he moved to Hackberry and worked at the Texaco station in Kingman. Dairriel and Linda later purchased property in Kingman where Thompson’s Mohave Muffler was started.
Dairriel, a 55-year member of the Elks club, enjoyed fishing, camping, and fast cars. He was well known for his pipe and dual exhaust work along with his honest work ethic. Customers would travel long distances to get work done on their vehicles. The business was sold in 2016 due to his fight with dementia. Dairriel declined to have a funeral service; however, a Celebration of Life is being planned for February 8, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, 212 N. Fourth St., in Kingman, Ariz. All family and friends are invited to bring pictures and tell stories of your time with Dairriel. This will help to make this a true celebration of his life. Dairriel was respected, kind and, of course, loved.
