A Memorial Service for Robert D. Thompson of Mountain Home, Arkansas, will be 11:00 am, Friday, May 1, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Randy Ludwig officiating. A Graveside Service will follow the luncheon at Kirby's Tucker Memorial Mausoleum.
Robert D. Thompson was born September 17, 1931, in Canton, South Dakota, the son of Taylor S. and Mae E. Mundle Thompson. He graduated in 1950 from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from Coyne Electrical and Television-Radio School in Chicago, Illinois, May 4, 1951.
He was drafted into the United States Army, Armored Division, February 7, 1952. He took his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. With the Lt. Tank Division, 350th Infantry Regiment, he completed the course of Radio Operator given at USFA Signal Communication School in Salzburg, Austria, where he was stationed. He received an Honorable Discharge from Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, January 22, 1954.
He married Beverly Jean Thomas February 28, 1954, at Wesley Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1969, he began work with the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department. He was the Caretaker at Frank Olson and Kuehn Parks. He retired in October 1991, and he and Beverly moved to Lakeview, Arkansas. In 2005, they relocated to Mountain Home, Arkansas.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge of Mountain Home, South Dakota breakfast group and a dominoes group.
Survivors are his wife of 61 years; two sons, Robert (Jill) Thompson, Jr. of Leesburg, FL and Michael Thompson of Mesa, AZ; two grandchildren, Taylor (Pamela Badesso) Thompson of Seattle, WA and Hannah McNeela of Showlow, AZ and their mother, Julie Thompson; great-grandson, Forest and twin great-granddaughters, Lilly and Presley; aunt, Ada Ward of Canada and cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, L.D. "Tommy" Thompson.
Inurnment will be in the Kirby's Tucker Memorial Mausoleum. Military Honors will be provided by the Ozark V.F.W. Post #3246 Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.