Melvin E. "Mel" Thompson

Born on October 8, 1944, Melvin E. Thompson went peacefully into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on the afternoon of October 22, 2025. Mel accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at 12 years of age at a Union Chapel Revival.
Growing up in the country Mel attended Elwood and Dry Creek, one room country schools. He was the only one in his class for six years. Mel started public school in Medicine Lodge in 7th grade and graduated Valedictorian of his class of 1962.
Being captain and quarterback of the football team, he called all the plays for the undefeated 1961 Indian team. Highlights of his high school years were sports and vocal music with Mr. Parr. This launched his participation in the K-State Men's Glee Club of which he was President as well as his later activities singing bass with his beloved friends in Joyful Noise.
Mel's majors at K-State were Agricultural Economics and Business. College highlights were many: He enjoyed intramural sports, was voted FMOC (Famous Man on Campus), and served as President of his Delta Upsilon fraternity, but his greatest joy was meeting and marrying his wife Carol. They were married June 11, 1967, and their marriage was blessed with three children, Judith, Kimberly, and Todd. Every meal was preceded by a table grace that Mel had scripted for their first meal. He served for six years in the Army Reserves achieving the rank of Staff Seargent.
Mel has always had a passion for serving people. From 1969-1976, Mel worked in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill as Legislative Assistant to Congressman Sebelius. He returned to full time farming in 1976 where he was able to pursue the improvement of his Black Angus livestock operation. Mel reentered full time public service in 1997 as Agriculture Assistant (in Kansas) for Senator Pat Roberts until retirement. In service to the Medicine Lodge United Methodist Church, Mel was chairman of a very successful Lay Witness Mission.
Mel enjoyed following K-State sports and was a football season ticket holder for 34 years. Most importantly, the joy of his life was spending time with his family and sharing his faith with them. Survivors include his wife Carol, his brothers Dr. R. Wayne Thompson (Joyce) and Steven Thompson (Patricia), his sister Joan Garten, his children Judith Schroeder (Mark) of Stafford, VA, Kimberly Stevenson (Patrick) of Overland Park, KS, Todd Thompson (Anna) of Whittier, CA, and his grandchildren Charlotte Schroeder, Luke Schroeder, Neah David, Kylie David, William Thompson, and Nora Thompson. Cremation has taken place and services will be held Sunday, November 9th, at 2:00 pm at the First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, KS.
Memorials may be made to the Medicine Lodge First Christian Church or the Kansas Food Bank - Backpack program.