DON J. THOMPSON DDS

1936 - 2016

Don J. Thompson, DDS, MS, 79, died Saturday, May 14, 2016 at home. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Miriam (Shaw) Thompson, his son Jeffrey J. Thompson, DDS, MS, his wife Grace (Quirk) Thompson and their daughters, Caroline and Georgia, and his son Douglas J. Thompson, DDS, MS, and his wife Kelley (Romans) Thompson, DDS, and their children Emily, Spencer and Pierce. Born in Humansville, MO and raised in Dunnegan, MO, the son of Zela (Gilpin) and James O. Thompson, he was a lifelong resident of Leawood, KS. After graduating from Humansville High School in 1954, he attended Southwest Missouri State with duel majors in Biology and Chemistry. He then attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry, graduating as Salutatorian. While in dental school, he married his college sweetheart, Miriam Shaw, in 1959. Prior to completing his orthodontic residency at Saint Louis University in 1965, he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force Dental Corps from 1961 to 1963. Dr. Thompson entered the private practice of orthodontics with his brother, Herald Eugene (Gene) Thompson in 1965. They practiced as partners until his death in 1984. He practiced alone until 1991, when Dr. Jeff Thompson joined the practice. Dr. Doug Thompson joined the practice in 1995. After 38 years in practice, he retired on December 31, 2003. Dr. Thompson served as an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Missouri at Kansas City Department of Orthodontics from 1965 to 1982 and from 1992 to 2003. He then served as Program Director at the University of Missouri at Kansas City Department of Orthodontics from 2003 to 2014. He was an active member of numerous local, regional and national dental and orthodontic organizations. He served as President of the St. Louis Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation in 1977, the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists in 1993 and the Tweed Study Club of the Midwest in 1994. Dr. Thompson was likewise active in civic organizations, involved in the Boys Scouts of America as a troop committee member and leader of two trips to Philmont Scout Ranch. He volunteered for the United Way and as a deacon at The Village Presbyterian Church. An avid golfer, Dr. Thompson was formerly a member of Indian Hills Country Club and the Aspen Glen Club in Colorado. He had a lifelong passion for running, snow skiing, hiking, and traveling. For over thirty years, he and his wife spent several weeks on Sanibel Island, Florida, which was his favorite place to run. In addition to his love of the outdoors, Dr. Thompson enjoyed building model cars and ships. A funeral service will be held at The Village Presbyterian Church 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS on May 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Reception to follow at Indian Hills Country Club, 6847 Tomahawk Road, Prairie Village, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Rinehart Foundation, Don Thompson Professorship Fund, 650 E. 25th St., Rm 411, Kansas City, MO 64108, or The Now & Tomorrow Campaign, The Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. M