Richard Lee Thomas

Richard Lee Thompson, 91, of Yuma, Arizona, died on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Dignity
Care Homes under the care of Hospice of Yuma with his eldest daughter at his side. Cremation
rites have been accorded with a private family memorial and interment to be held at a later date.
Yuma Mortuary and Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Richard was born on July 5, 1934, in Hamburg, Iowa to John Lawrence and Thelma (Hudson)
Thompson and raised in Sidney, Iowa, along with his two younger sisters. A 1952 graduate of
Sidney High School, Richard excelled in both the classroom and on the athletic fields. Upon
graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge in1955, Richard continued his education at Peru State
Teachers College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education and most importantly
met his sweetheart, Beverly Jean Brown. The two were married in December,1958, during their
senior year. After graduation, they taught in Omaha, NE and Meeker, CO, moving to Greeley,
CO in 1962. There Richard earned his Master of Arts in Mathematics Education at Colorado
State College.
During his early life, Rich taught advanced high school mathematics in Colorado and California.
After moving to Iowa, Richard left teaching and enjoyed a long career with Nabisco as a delivery
route driver enjoying the outdoors and the freedom of the road. He and Beverly raised their four
children: Karen, Cheryl, John and Eric in Ankeny, Iowa. Richard provided for yearly family
vacations, sparking in his children the appreciation of mountains, deserts, and the National
Parks system.
After retirement, Bev and Rich took to the road to pursue their love of traveling as full-time
RVers. They spent many happy years touring the country and reuniting with family and friends
along the way. Their travels eventually led them to settle in Yuma, AZ at Sun Vista RV Resort
where Richard enjoyed his Sudoku and puzzle books. Their summers were often spent at
Cutty's in Des Moines or in Marshalltown at Karen's home.
Richard is preceded in death by his precious wife of 65 years, Beverly; parents, John Lawrence
and Thelma Thompson; in-laws Glen and Ella Brown, Doris (Collins) Morgan, Donna (Vinal)
Casper, Shirley (Joe) Mammano, Jerome Brown, and Forest David Brown.
Richard is survived by his children Karen (Frank) Roessler, Cheryl (Alan Young) Thompson,
John Thompson, and Eric Thompson; his grandchildren Aaron (Agustina Prigoshin) Loupee,
Kim (Ben) McHugh, Robin Eiken, Jessica Thompson, and Ella Thompson; his great-
grandchildren Kai and Oliver Loupee; Dylan, Scarlett and Jacob McHugh; and Ashton and Jace
Elliot; sisters Beverly (William Robert) Jones, and Janet Gress; in-laws Jon Brown, DeVee
Brown and Betty Brown; and many nieces and nephews.