Richard Dick Thompson Jr.

Richard Dick Thompson, Jr. 94, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Known by many as “RD”, he was born in Jacksonville, Florida on January 2, 1929 to Richard Dick Thompson, Sr. and Annie Mae Thompson. He married Evelyn Miller Thompson on August 22, 1947 and was married almost 69 years before his “baby darlin” passed away.

RD retired after 42 years from CSX railroad spending the latter part of his career as an electrician in the roundhouse. He was a member of the former “Beaver Street Baptist Church”, now known as First Coast Baptist Church. He faithfully served the Lord and the church in many capacities, including maintenance, deacon, song leader and choir member for over 75 years. RD loved adventure and travel and invested his life in young people through coaching and playing softball, horseshoes, corn hole and many other sports. He doted on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

RD was preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn; granddaughter, Tracie Lee Briggs; parents, Richard and Annie Mae Thompson, and 5 Thompson brothers: baby boy, Aaron Calvin, Allen Gene, Franklin David and Donald Lamar; 6 sisters: Jessie Mae Lowery, Edith Triceri, Alma Wollitz McCabe, Margaret Pickett, Sherry Ann Overbaugh, and Linda Carol Thompson.

He is survived by daughter, Dianne Briggs-Zimmerman (Gearrison), Jacksonville, FL; son, Richard Darrell Thompson, Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren, Richard Alan Briggs (Sheryl), Lee’s Summit, MO; Aaron Joseph Thompson, McGuire AFB, Burlington County, NJ; Megan Emilee Thompson, Orange Park, FL; great-grandchildren, Ashlee Taylor Briggs, Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, VA; Joshua David Briggs, Los Angeles, CA; Abigail Grace Zimmerman, Ashlynne Gaige Zimmerman, Andrew Gearrison Zimmerman, all of Jacksonville, FL; one great-great-granddaughter, Ava McKay Trenz, Norfolk, VA; one brother, Robert D. Thompson (Claire), Jacksonville, FL; and one sister, Carol Ann Thompson Briggs, Jacksonville, FL. He also leaves behind many, many nephews and nieces.

The family wants to acknowledge with grateful hearts, the many kindnesses and care of Diamond Assisted Living Facility in Green Cove Springs. Many wonderful nurses, doctors, staff, assistants and volunteers cared for RD this past year. The residents of Diamond were loving, supportive and uplifting. We also want to thank Vitas Hospice for extraordinary attention and comfort for RD and our families. We extend heartfelt thanks to RD’s Sunday School class and church for the many visits, cards and calls as well as others who reached out, including Rick Wollitz, nephew, who drove many miles, many times to watch over his Uncle Richard so family could get refreshed. And even though he cannot attend, special thanks to grandson Richard Briggs for traveling from Missouri twice within these past three weeks to be with his PeePaw.

Pallbearers: Darrell Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Eddie Fink, Ty Ackerman, Keith Sullivan, Jamie Zimmerman.

A visitation for Richard will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM at First Coast Baptist Church, 7587 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244. Followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. A committal service will occur Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Thompson family.