Luther H. Thompson

1934 – 2019

Luther H. Thompson, the son of Clarence Luther and Dorothy (Gass) Thompson, was born August 12, 1934 in Oldfield, Missouri. He passed into the loving arms of his Lord on December 6, 2019 at Community Hospital – Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri at the age of 85.

After moving to Southwest Iowa in 1936, Luther spent his youth attending Alma Mater Country School, south of Shenandoah, Iowa, and graduated from Farragut, Iowa High School in 1952.   He spent his youth playing sports and working on the farm. Luther accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a young man and was baptized into the Christian faith.

On March 2, 1953, Luther entered into the United States Navy, and served his country aboard the U.S.S. Cayuga County and the U.S.S. Walter B. Cobb.  He left the US Navy with honors on February 21, 1957.

On July 21, 1957, Luther married Margaret Jane Elliott, the love of his life, at the United Methodist Church in Farragut.  They recently enjoyed their 62^nd wedding anniversary.

In 1960, Luther received his Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Agricultural from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa,  and for the next three years, he taught Vo-Ag in Manning, Iowa.

In 1963, Luther and Jane moved to Rock Port, Missouri. Here they raised their three children, Doug, Mark, and Susan.  Rock Port was home for the rest of his life, and he loved supporting and encouraging his children in their many activities.  He was a tireless worker, but always found the time to teach and play sports and games with his children, and was a supportive and passionate audience at his childrens’ events.

Upon arrival in Rock Port, Luther also began a career in banking at the Bank of Atchison County. Luther furthered his education, completing the Graduate School of Banking in 1971. He retired from the Bank of Atchison County after 30 years, having served as Bank President from 1979 to 1993.

Luther loved his community and was always happy to help organize, participate, and administrate in several organizations, including Rock Port City Council, Fair Oaks Senior Housing board, Rotary Club (District Governor 1997), Community Hospital – Fairfax volunteer, and Missouri Bankers Association (President 1990-1991).  Luther’s church and his friends there were so important to him, and he enjoyed serving on many committees and endeavors at Rock Port United Methodist Church, even participating in the hand bell choir!

A compassionate, caring, and loving soul, Luther was first and foremost a family man, pouring his heart into his family. His wisdom, advice, and timely sense of humor was appreciated by his family and friends alike.  He was good at pointing people in the right direction; a common parting remark to his cherished children and grandchildren was “Keep on doing the good things”.  He was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all of the lives he touched: His family, church, community, and many, many friends, and acquaintances.

Besides his parents, Luther was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Thompson, and sister, Mary Jane Johnson.  Survivors include his wife, Jane, Rock Port; children, Doug (Ginny), Boone, Iowa, Mark (Patty), Gladstone, Missouri, and Susan (Bob) Gardner, Shawnee, Kansas; six grandchildren, Mitchell and Morgan Thompson, Travis and Gentry Gardner, Josh and Mark Peters; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2019, United Methodist Church, Rock Port, Missouri

Interment: Greenhill Cemetery, Rock Port.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 10^th, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.

Memorials may be directed to United Methodist Church,  208 W. Opp St., Rock Port, MO  64482.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.