RICHARD THOMPSON

RICHARD THOMPSON ALEXANDRIA, IN: Richard E. "Dick" Thompson, 97, quietly slipped away from us on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Alexandria Health and Rehab following a brief illness. Dick was born on a cold Christmas Eve, December 24, 1927, to Francis and Mary (Hardcastle) Thompson in rural Alexandria. As a young man, Dick worked on the family farm which played a great part in developing the hard work ethic that he would carry with him all his lifetime. He graduated from Frankton High School-Class of 1945. In the summers, he would work at the Gilman Grain elevator. Dick was well known for his career of delivering fuel oil and diesel fuel to homes and farms in Madison County. He worked for Standard Oil, Everybody's Oil and the Farm Bureau Co-Op, which allowed him to meet many folks and make many friends. He retired in 1989. Dick will probably best be remembered for driving hundreds of students and athletes in his 42-year career as a school bus driver for Alexandria Community Schools. As a bus driver, he often drove Alex Tiger football and basketball teams to games and events. One of his greatest highlights was driving the 1963 Alex Tiger Madison County Sectional Basketball Championship team. He also took game films for the Tiger athletic teams for several years. In the late 60's and early 70's Dick worked for the former Kyle Funeral Home in Alexandria as an ambulance attendant and funeral assistant. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the City of Alexandria. Dick was a Life Member and past president of the Alexandria Lions Club. After the Alexandria club closed, he transferred to the Frankton Lions club until the closing of that club. He was a longtime supporter of the Democratic party, having served as a Monroe Township Precinct Committeeman for more than 40 years, was a member of the Madison County Rooster Club and had served on the Monroe Township Trustee Advisory Board. Dick was a long-time member of the Alexandria Our Blessed Savior Lutheran Church where he served as an usher and worked dinners and events at the church. He often expressed how he valued his friendship with Pastor Kal and Debra Rissman. Down through the years, he had several "watering holes" where he grew life-long friendships over a cup of coffee and a joke or two. Dick will fondly be remembered for his unique sense of humor and that trademark laugh of his. It was once remarked that with Dick Thompson "you always knew exactly where you stood." The Alexandria Community will mourn the loss of another Hometown Hero. We are all better men and women, boys and girls for having crossed paths with Dick Thompson. Enter a well-deserved rest beloved friend, we'll carry on from here. Survivors: Daughter-Emily (Jeff) Closser of Alexandria 2 Sons-Richard (Debra) Thompson of Pendleton, Michael (Sharon) Thompson of Alexandria 9 Grandchildren 16 Great-Grandchildren Brother-in-law-Jim (Nancy) Wehsollek of Alexandria Several nieces, nephews and cousins He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 63 years-Ruth Wehsollek Thompson in 2012, Brother-Harold (Doris Lee) Thompson, Sister-Rosemary (John) Maul, grandson-Troy Collins Services honoring Dick's life, legacy and faith took place at 10 am on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in the Our Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, 309 West Washington Street, Alexandria with Pastor Kal Rissman officiating. Interment followed in Park View Cemetery in Alexandria. The Thompson family received friends at the church on Monday, August 11, 2025, from 4 pm to 7 pm and also on Tuesday after 9 am prior to the service. Memorial contributions are suggested to Our Blessed Savior Lutheran Church with envelopes available at the service. Dick's care and services arrangements have been entrusted to Owens Funeral Home in Alexandria. Online condolences: www.owensmemorialservices.com