Warren Thompson

THOMPSON Warren Carr, 98, passed away Sept 17, 2016. He was born in Fulton, Kentucky on May 31, 1918 to the late Beulah Fields and Edward Albert Thompson and was raised on a grain and livestock family farm established in 1899. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1941 with a degree in Agriculture and received his Master's degree in Agriculture from UK in 1958. His more than sixty years of forage work began in Hickman County as an Extension County Agent. After retiring as an Extension Forage Specialist for the University of Kentucky Agronomy Department, he became a chief agronomist and national forage specialist. He was a strong advocate of the scientific approach and a leader in research extension teams, inspiring others in the industry to develop improved and practical forage programs not only in Kentucky but also across this country. He taught through field demonstrations and mass media. His articles were published in several industry publications, perhaps being most heralded for his work with The Progressive Farmer along with his appearances on 3,000 radio and 675 television shows. He was a recognized authority on forage and pasture management and was affectionately known both as "Mr. Alfalfa" and "Mr. Forage." His contributions to grass pasture renovation stand as one of the important advancements in forage production and conservation. During his life's work, he was awarded Progressive Farmer's Kentucky Man of the Year in Agriculture (1966), U.S. Department of Agriculture Distinguished Service Award (1973), American Forage and Grasslands Council Merit Award (1969) and Medallion Award (1978), and the Alfalfa Industry Award (1990) among others. In 2000, the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council created an award in his honor, The Warren Thompson Alfalfa Industry Award. Warren was presented the highest and most prestigious International Honorary Membership Award by the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference in 2004. He was a member of the American Society of Agronomy, Epsilon Sigma Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta. Warren was an avid golfer, fisherman, and UK Wildcat fan. He served multiple times on the Vestry during his nearly sixty-year membership at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd serving as both Senior and Junior Warden. Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Goldsmith Thompson. He is survived by a daughter, Kathryn Thompson, of Kokomo, IN and two sons, Dr. David Thompson (Valerie), of New Port Richey, FL and Maj. Gen. (Ret) Stephen Thompson (Phyllis) of Franklin, TN; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation with the family will be at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home Main Street, Lexington, from 5-8pm on Thursday, Sept 22. Services will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd, Lexington, on Friday at 2pm with Father Brian Cole celebrating and interment immediately following at Lexington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Endowment Fund, 533 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508 or the Thompson, Templeton, Taylor Endowment Fund, E.S. Good Barn, College of Agriculture, 1451 University Drive, Lexington, KY 40546-0097.