Richard Lee Thompson

Richard Lee Thompson was born on June 13, 1927 at Bushong, Kansas, the son of Ferdinand and Edith (Duncan) Thompson.  He married Velma E. Danford on June 25, 1949. She died October 21, 2017.

Surviving members of Richard’s family include his daughter; Shirley (Mark) Payne, Spring, Texas, son; Terry (Marcia) Thompson, Emporia, Kansas, Grandchildren; Jeremy (Jenn) Payne, Patrick (Brandee) Payne, Brandon (Jill) Thompson, and Kimberly Thompson, Great-grandchildren; Colbie and Bryson Payne.

He was preceded in death by his siblings; Mary Walter, Margaret Walker, and Marvin Thompson.

Mr. Thompson was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in A Company of the 65 ^th Operating Engineers Battalion during the occupation of Japan following World War II.  He was a member of Ball-McColm Post #5, American Legion and Lowry-Funston Post #1980, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He grew up in the area north of Bushong, Kansas and was one of two surviving graduates of the class of 1945 from Bushong (Kansas) High School. Mr. Thompson was a longtime farmer and rancher in Lyon and Chase Counties. He also worked as an engineer on the construction of the Kansas Turnpike. For many years Mr. Thompson was an inspector and licensed surveyor with the City of Emporia Engineering Department, helping in the development and completion of a number of city projects before retiring in 1989.

A graveside service will be held at the Patio Garden of the Memorial Lawn Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Military honors will be presented by Ball-McColm Post #5, American Legion and Lowry-Funston Post #1980, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Burial in Memorial Lawn Cemetery will follow.  The family will receive friends at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00.

Richard enjoyed giving hugs, chocolates, and doing a good deed or favor for a neighbor or friends. Please honor his memory likewise by paying it forward.

Online condolences to the family may be left on the funeral home website; www.robertsblue.com