Richard Lloyd Thompson

1933 - 2021

Thompson, Richard Lloyd
Richard Lloyd Thompson was an extraordinary man and embodiment of hope for many throughout his 87 years. His was a life of tremendous accomplishment, humility, integrity, exemplified by his compassionate heart, caring spirit, and willingness to offer a word of encouragement to everyone he met.
Richard was the beloved husband of Betty J. Thompson, of Middletown, Connecticut and passed away on April 1, 2021. In addition to his faithful wife of 57 years, he is also loved and mourned by his daughter Claudette Renee Thompson and granddaughter Joy Renee Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia. He was predeceased by his dearest son, Richard Lloyd Thompson II, Esq.
Richard was born in Statesville, North Carolina on December 15, 1933 where he attended the Mary Potter Academy and received his High School diploma from Oxford City Schools. He matriculated at Fayetteville State Teachers College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956 where he was inducted into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Gamma Chapter. In the Fall of 1956, after graduating from college, Richard was drafted into the Army where he spent two years; one of which was served in Germany.
Richard came to Hartford and began his teaching career in the Spring of 1959 at the Dominick F. Burns Elementary School. In 1969, at the conclusion of ten years as a 6th grade teacher at the Burns School, he completed a Master's degree in Education at the University of Hartford. Richard continued his graduate studies at the University of Connecticut where he successfully completed a program of study beyond the Master's degree, for the 6th year diploma in Professional Education. While at UConn he distinguished himself as a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity in education.
It was during his final stages at UConn, that Richard was appointed as the first black principal with the Middletown School System. His appointment in 1971 at Bielefield Elementary School came at the closing of the predominantly black Hubbard Elementary School and the mixing of its population with Bielefield School's largely white student body. Through the strength of his character, he was able to guide the school through a period of social uneasiness as a newly racially integrated school. During his 19-year tenure, he also served as Principal for Farm Hill and Spencer Elementary schools. He considered it an achievement that he helped to educate generations of students in Middletown, having their lives positively impacted by him.
Richard continued as an educational administrator in Middletown in the role of Director of Title I. During his stint as Title I Director, Richard became affiliated with the State-wide Connecticut Association of Compensatory Education Administrators (C.A.C.E.A.). He was President of CACEA for five years. He had become an institution within the Middletown School System with over 25 years of service, when he retired in 1997.
Richard Thompson's contributions extended far outside the school. He served on Middletown's Planning and Zoning Commission, the Charter Revision Commission, Middletown's Youth Services Committee, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. To illustrate the broad variety of his community involvement, he was a member of the American Legion, Post 206 of Middletown and named an honorary deputy by the Middlesex County Sherriff's Association, and he also served as a Middlesex County Justice of the Peace. In addition, Richard was a local and State delegate for Middletown's Democratic Town Committee.
Despite the broad range of his community service, Richard was a dedicated and faithful member of Union Baptist Church of Hartford for over 60 years. He was honored to serve as a Deacon for 28 years and delighted whenever he was asked to lead the prayer.
Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, cousin and uncle to a host of nieces and nephews. His friendly spirit and kind heart will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, 1921 Main Street, Hartford, CT. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middletown, CT. To leave an online message of condolence, or to view a live stream of the funeral service, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.