Kenneth Roland Thompson

Kenneth Roland Thompson, a devoted family man, decorated U.S. Army veteran, accomplished aviator, tennis professional, and long-time resident of the Golden Isles, passed away peacefully in Brunswick, Georgia on February 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on March 26, 1931, in Summit, New Jersey, to Anna Laura Clark Thompson and Rex Roland Thompson, Ken lived a life marked by service, dedication, and love for his family and community.

Ken’s early years were spent in New Jersey but he moved to Brunswick as a child when his father took a job managing the Liberty shipyards during World War II. Even as a young man, he demonstrated a remarkable work ethic–delivering newspapers, working construction and building two homes on Norwich Street alongside his brother Bob, all before finishing high school. Ken graduated from Glynn Academy in 1949 and went on to earn a BS in Economics from Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, in 1953. While at PC he distinguished himself as an athlete and ROTC program graduate. He played on the basketball team as a freshman but gave that up for the rigors of his full-ride tennis scholarship. Ken was a varsity tennis player all four years while the team was ranked nationally, comparable to the largest university programs of the time in spite of the college’s small size.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army in 1953, Ken’s military career spanned two decades across the world. He became both a fixed-wing and rotary-wing aviator, flying missions in Korea, Germany, Vietnam (two tours), Ethiopia, and throughout the United States. His assignments included service with the 82nd Airborne Division, the United Nations Command in Korea, the Ethiopia-U.S. Mapping Mission, and Priority Air Transport at Ft. Belvoir, where he flew missions for the White House, Congress, and senior military leaders. He was awarded numerous honors, including these medals: two Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, Bronze Star, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Air with six Oak Leaf Clusters, and the designation of Master Army Aviator.

After retiring from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1973, Ken returned to Brunswick, where he earned an MBA from Georgia Southern and became a dedicated tennis instructor, teaching at Brunswick Junior College and Glynn County Recreation Department. His love for tennis led him to build a court at his home where he would go on to teach thousands of students over the next 50 years and offer racket stringing services out of his home up until a month before his death.

He was a local historian and would entertain any ears that would listen with the many stories of his life and the history of the Golden Isles. He was also active in local preservation efforts, serving for a time as Treasurer and Board Member of the Old Town Brunswick Preservation Association.

Ken was predeceased by his cherished wife of 65 years, Katharine Parker Thompson. Their partnership was a source of strength and joy throughout their lives. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Margaret "Peggy" Cate and Robert "Bob" Thompson, as well as his son-in-law Victor Monfort.

Ken is survived by his five beloved children: Mary Monfort, Kathy Peacock (Greg), Ken Thompson, Jr. (Cindy), Bill Thompson (Suzy), and Dr. Steve Thompson (Maureen). He also is survived by his 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Katie Monfort Thomas (Aaron), Serafina & Maggie; Anne Marie Monfort; Madeleine Monfort; Victor Monfort; Anthony Monfort; Greg Peacock (Katie), Monica & Jacob; Ben Peacock (Brittany), Mary Clara, James & Joseph; Tim Peacock; Tom Peacock; Mary Peacock Gray (AJ); Elizabeth Peacock; Mary Rose Thompson Harrington (Matthew), Max, Jonah & Lucy; Kenneth R. “Trey” Thompson III; Robbie Thompson (Katherine); Will Thompson; Stephen Thompson; Florence Thompson; Henry Thompson; David Thompson. He also leaves behind extended family who remember him fondly.

Ken left a legacy of love, service, integrity, discipline, humor and stories that will be remembered by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the community he served so faithfully.

A visitation will be held for Ken on Friday, February 27, from 5-7 PM at Edo Miller Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Saturday, February 28, at 10 AM, followed immediately by burial at Palmetto Cemetery with military honors, and then a lunch reception at St. Francis Xavier parish hall.

The family wishes to thank all of Ken’s caregivers, especially Amanda Dooley and Beth Oberg for their excellent care and friendship with Ken in his final year, as well as Hospice of Golden Isles for their help in Ken’s final weeks. Thanks also go to his physicians for their excellent medical care: Dr. Mark Watkins and Dr. Scott Clay.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Francis Xavier Catholic School or Hospice of the Golden Isles.