John Ray Thompson, son of the late Virginia Thompson and Carl Thompson, husband of the late Patricia Conrad Thompson and father of Lindsay, Tyler and Josh, passed away at his home on Friday, September 23, 2022 after a lengthy illness. He was 80 years old.
John was born in St. Joseph, MO on November 6, 1941. He graduated from Central High School and the University of Missouri. He married his beloved Patricia on June 15, 1963 and they cherished their 55 years of marriage. Patricia preceded him in death in May, 2019.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Jack Thompson (Pat) of Texarkana, TX and his brother Jerry Thompson of St. Joseph, MO.
He is survived by his siblings Jim Thompson (Jo) St. Joseph, MO and Peggy Jo Butner (Michael) Smithville, MO, his sisters-in-law Maggie Evans and Elizabeth Klein (Bob) and his three children: Lindsay Thompson Lanning (John) Las Cruces, NM, Tyler Blinn Thompson (Sandy) Flossmoor, IL and Joshua Conrad Thompson (Dianne) New Market, MD. He was very proud of his children and they provided him great joy.
He is also survived by nine fantastic, fun-loving grandchildren: John Harrison, Harper Katharine and Griffin Conrad Lanning; Nicholas Conrad, Anna Catherine and Emily Elizabeth Thompson; Zackery Conrad, Molly Jane and Cooper Grant Thompson.
After graduating, John enjoyed a ten-year career in the business office at the University of Missouri. He left the university to pursue his dream and a lifelong career in horticulture. Beginning in Columbia, MO, he later moved to St. Joseph, MO with Bent Oak Nursery. John served as President of the Missouri Association of Nurserymen. John moved his family to Maryland where he continued working in the nursery business before returning to Missouri to finish his career with Rosehill Gardens. John was a diehard Missouri Tiger fan, he loved camping and the outdoors, spent untold time gardening in his (and just about anyone else’s) yard, he enjoyed long car rides whether exploring around town or along the many beaches he loved, treasured his time with family and friends and any activity he could do with his grandchildren.
A Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 1 followed by a 2:00 pm Holy Eucharist & Service at St. Peters and All Saints Church, 100 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO. Burial immediately following at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO.
Serving as pallbearers will be John’s grandsons: Harrison Lanning, Griffin Lanning, Nicholas Thompson, Zackery Thompson and Cooper Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Casebeer, Rowen Johnson, Roger Lewis and John Wray.
