Raymond L. Thompson

The funeral service for Raymond Lloyd Thompson, 81, of Stewartville, formerly a longtime Racine resident, will be at 11 a.m. Friday (June 24, 2016) at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville, with the Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Burial will take place at Hamilton Cemetery in rural Racine.

Mr. Thompson died Monday (June 20, 2016) of natural causes at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, where he had been a resident for the past two weeks.

Raymond Lloyd Thompson was born on April 23, 1935, in Racine, to Lloyd and Anna Mae (Lowe) Thompson. He grew up in Racine and attended school there through the eighth grade before attending Stewartville High School, graduating in 1953. He attended Mankato State for a year and then returned to work with his father in the family business - Thompson Livestock and Trucking in Racine.

Raymond was married on Dec. 28, 1954, at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville to Lois A. Murray. The couple raised their family and lived in Racine for many years. Mrs. Thompson died July 28, 1999.

Ray was a longtime active member of the Racine United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees and volunteering his time and talents.

He served 19 years as Mayor of Racine and never ran an election campaign, but was a write-in candidate each term. He was a member of the Racine Lions and was a regular volunteer for city events where he could be found conversing with everyone. During this time, Ray operated the family business until it closed in 1999 and he retired.

On Feb. 14, 2001, Ray married Carla Heymann Light at the Stewartville United Methodist Church. The couple made Stewartville their home and became members of Stewartville UMC. During this time, he was employed part-time driving truck for Robinson Cold Storage.

Ray was a successful athlete in high school and continued his love of sports watching and cheering on local teams. Ray truly enjoyed being in the outdoors; he especially looked forward to the annual Thompson Camper hunting and fishing events. He was an avid reader, enjoyed card and board games, enjoyed going to coffee and visiting with family and friends.

Ray is survived by his wife, Carla; a son and three daughters - Mark (Debra) of Elysian, Minn.; Kari (Stephan) York and Jill (Brad) Zumbach, both of Racine, and Amy (Steven) Wild of New Albin, Iowa; two stepsons, Jeremy (Andrea) Light of Rochester, and Josh (Kathy) Light of Stewartville; 13 grandchildren, Kelly Harstad, Nathaniel Thompson, Doug Murray, Daniel (Amber)  Murray, Dennis Murray, Darcie Brinson (Travis), Ryan (Vanessa) York, Stephanie (Drew) Lawson, KayLea Zumbach (Matt Marchant), Ross Zumbach (Taylor Gruszynski), Shawn Wild, Nolan Light and Sophia Light; nine great-grandchildren, Hailey, Jadyn, Allie, Ava, Avery, Ayden, Arica, Lane and Reed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his parents, and his brother, Paul.

Visitation will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday (June 23, 2016) at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and 1 hour prior to the service at the church Friday morning.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com