Doran Thompson

Ulean "Doran" Thompson, 92, of Rector, joined heaven's choir on August 11, 2025. He passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family. Doran was born on December 21, 1932 in Hickoria, Arkansas to parents William "Earl" and Clara "Edith" Elizabeth (Lamb) Thompson. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Thompson; his brother: Richard (Mattie) Thompson; his children: Gwen Lanier (Ed), Trina Miller (Stacy), and Tim Thompson (Susan); his children by marriage: Belinda Matheney (Warren), and Kim Isom (Benny); his grandchildren: Derek Matheney (Kelsey), Joshua McDermott (Lidia), LaRue Allegretto, Seth Matheney (Penny), Alicia McDermott-Yanik (James), Whitney McDermott, Sarah Beth Isom, and Philicia Thompson; great-grandchildren: JJ, Kevin, and Isaac McDermott, Cassie Stiller, Karter and Hunter Matheney, Sophie, Silas, Mac, Shiloh, and Lucas Matheney, Eliana and (soon-to-arrive) Levi Yanik; and grandchildren of the heart: Anna Isom, Asa and Adrianna Jackson. A special thanks to Angie Hall who lovingly aided Martha in care for Doran in his final years. He is preceded in death by parents, Earl and Edith Thompson; and his siblings: Shermin Earlene Thompson, Delbert Ellis Thompson, Irene Dooley, and Earl Porter Thompson. Growing up in a share-cropping family, Doran learned the value of hard work early in life. He proudly served as a Corporal in the United States Army as a supply file clerk during the Korean War. In his professional career, he retired as a partner at Corporate Services employment agency. Doran was known for his unmistakable deep voice, a quality that made him a perfect fit to sing bass in southern gospel quartets like The Tonesmen, The Commanders, The Kinsmen, and Call to Stand. He recorded multiple albums with these groups and performed in churches across the country. Doran will always be remembered for his iconic version of "The Laughing Song," a performance that never failed to spark laughter in everyone listening. Doran was a faithful member of Blooming Grove Baptist Church for over 20 years, serving as Treasurer and the Adult Bible Study Teacher during that time. In addition to his faith, family was his greatest treasure. Doran and Martha had a beautiful marriage of 29 years filled with lots of love, laughter, and ice cream. They traveled many miles to be with family for holidays and special occasions, and loved hosting their grandkids in the summers. Doran enjoyed taking them for rides on the four-wheeler in their backyard and boat rides at Lake Norfork. When he wasn't singing or tending to his and Matha's vegetable garden, you could find Doran fishing. Sun or clouds, cold or warm, alone or with friends, everyday was a perfect day to fish. Doran's legacy will live on in the lives of those he loved, through every song they write and sing, in the sweet tooth he passed down to his children and grandchildren, and in the faith in God he instilled in his family. As he closed his eyes on earth and opened them in heaven, he undoubtedly heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." A visitation will be held at Irby Funeral Home on August 12, 2025 from 6pm-8pm. The celebration of life service will be held at Irby Funeral Home on August 13, 2025 at 11am. Interment will be at Woodland Heights Cemetery. A second celebration of life will be held in Rockford, Illinois in spring 2026.