Kent L. Thompson

1927 - 2022

Kent L. Thompson
December 31, 1927 - December 20, 2022
Prairie Village, Kansas - Kent L. Thompson, Prairie Village, KS, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022, at his home in Claridge Court, surrounded by his family. Kent was born in Anthony, KS on December 31, 1927 to Homer Lee and Winifred Cornick Thompson. Upon graduating from Anthony High School, Kent attended the summer session of Wentworth Military Academy. In the fall of 1945, Kent enrolled at Kansas State University where he became a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
From July 1946 to December 1947, Kent served in the Signal Corp of the U.S. Armed Forces, working as a journalist in the Philippines. He then returned to Kansas State where he graduated with honors in political science in 1950. In the fall of 1950, Kent began law studies at Harvard University. On August 19, 1951, Kent married Patricia Moll of Wamego, KS, whom he had met at Kansas State. Having previously heard Patricia perform Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor with the Kansas State Orchestra in an all-college assembly left quite a lasting impression on Kent!
Upon completing his law studies in 1953, Kent & Patricia moved to Kansas City where Kent became an associate of the Langworthy, Matz & Linde law firm. Kent later became an associate and law partner with the Slagle & Bernard firm, eventually becoming a partner with the Fallon, Olsen, Talpers & Thompson law firm. From April 1975 until his retirement in December 1993, Kent served as a Vice President in the Trust Division of Commerce Bank.
Kent served as President of the Junior Section of the Kansas City Lawyers Association and as Director of the Estate Planning Council of Kansas City. He was also a member of Rotary Club No. 13. In his later years, Kent was an active member of the Salt & Pepper Club and the Wednesday morning mens' Bible Study at Village Presbyterian Church. Throughout his life, Kent was a voracious reader, often reading several books at the same time. He loved to share his books with others when he sensed that a book would have special meaning for another person.
Kent & Patricia were members of Second Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO for 65 years. While at Second, Kent served on a number of committees and also served as a deacon and an elder. A pivotal event in Kent's journey of faith came in December 2007 when he experienced a profound spiritual conversion, becoming a devout follower of Jesus Christ. After moving to Claridge Court in April 2017, Kent & Patricia began attending nearby Village Presbyterian Church where they later became members.
Kent's greatest love of life was his family. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patricia (or Tricia, as he liked to call her); daughter Liese Piazza (Tom) of Cleveland, OH; son Chris of Walnut Ridge, AR; and two grandsons, Tommy Piazza and Brian Piazza. Kent also leaves behind two dearly loved nieces - Elizabeth Hey (Kevin) of Kansas City and Patricia McCreary (Robb) of Scottsdale, AZ. Kent's family will remember him as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. All who knew Kent will remember him as a true gentleman who took a genuine interest in others and their families.
Kent's family cannot imagine the last chapter of his life without the consistent outpouring of love, attention and support demonstrated 24/7 by the tireless team of caring health professionals at the Claridge Court Health Center. These remarkable individuals assisted Kent in ways too numerous to mention but without whom his family could not have managed the past 33 months. The family would also like to thank the Ascend hospice team, who helped us navigate Kent's final days, and Pastor Dan Dermyer, Claridge Court chaplain and a dear family friend.
To John Hastings - Kent's fellow attorney and a longtime family friend - we express our deepest gratitude and profound appreciation. One could not ask for a more loyal, devoted, loving, and caring friend than John has been, not only during Kent's final years but for the past fifty-plus years. God bless you, John, and your lovely wife, Melanie.
Kent, Dad, Poppa, and Uncle Kent - we will miss your wonderful smile, your kind demeanor, your gentle spirit, your keen sense of humor, and your impressive (but never showy) vocabulary and command of the English language. You touched us all with the warmth and authenticity of your character - a beautiful reflection of the light of your life, Jesus Christ.
A remembrance and celebration of Kent's life will take place at Claridge Court at a later date in May or June 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Ms. Emily Inman at the Claridge Court Health Center (8101 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS, 66208) or to a favorite charity. Arr. www.kccremation.com .