Services on Tuesday for Sun executive

Monday, Aug. 12, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

Funeral services for Sandra "Sandy" Thompson, who died in an car accident Friday, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Palm Mortuary Eastern Avenue.

Thompson, a child advocate as well as vice president and associate editor of the Las Vegas Sun, was 53.

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers are investigating the Friday morning crash that killed Thompson. She was stopped at a red light on the Las Vegas Beltway at Far Hills Drive when a sports utility vehicle hit her from behind. The driver of the SUV was in fair condition this morning at University Medical Center.

Born Aug. 24, 1948, in Hanover, Pa., Thompson had lived in Las Vegas since 1978. She organized the Sun's community service work, including activities from the Sun Youth Forum to projects that repaired homes of disadvantaged seniors.

She joined the Sun in 1978 as a copy editor. She became features editor and then was managing editor for 11 years and was the paper's foremost expert on Family Court issues. Through her reporting and Sunday columns, she inspired many reforms in the system as well as justice and relief for many families and individuals.

She was promoted to vice president and associate editor five years ago.

She is survived by her husband, Gary, and daughter, Kelly, both of Las Vegas; sisters, Lorena Gregory of Phoenix and Rachel McDannell of Hanover; and brothers, Chris Bazonis of South Carolina and Tom Bazonis of Las Vegas.

Donations may be made to the Sun Camp Fund, 2275 Corporate Circle, Suite 300, Henderson, NV 89074, or the Children's Advocacy Alliance, through the Nevada Community Foundation, 1850 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 207, Las Vegas, NV, 89104.