Kenneth Thompson

Kenneth R. Thompson

1942 - 2022

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Kenneth

Obituary of Kenneth R. Thompson

Kenneth R. Thompson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend passed quietly and victoriously from this mortal life into the infallible light of God’s eternal dwelling place on April 14th, 2022.

In the weeks prior to this journey, Ken often heard the singing of a huge choir in the distance, singing beloved hymns of praise to God and testimony to His grace and faithfulness. No one else could hear this, so we believe that Ken was being granted an auditory window into eternity.

Ken loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, whose resurrection we celebrate this week. He served Him by loving and serving people. In every community where his career as county or city manager took him, he found a church—a community of God’s people—in which to serve. Locally, these were the Frankfort Wesleyan Church and FOCUS Wesleyan Church in Georgetown, his current church family.

Kenneth Raymond Thompson was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 22nd, 1942, to Hugh Rolland Thompson and Bertha Mamie (Thompson) Slager. Hugh Rolland’s parents were Hugh McKinley Thompson and Ola Mae (Hunt) Thompson. Bertha Mamie’s parents were Alfred and Mamie H. (Anderson) Johnson.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Rose Pack. They have two sons, Jarrette Delon Thompson born in 1973 and Jonathan George Stewart Thompson born in 1975 who married Sarah Elizabeth Hughes and they have three children: Wyatt Dunn, Benjamin Levi, and Sadie Rose Elizabeth.

Ken had three siblings: Burman Delon Thompson, Eva Sharon (Thompson) Wirsig and Connie Jean (Thompson) Thurman. Eva Sharon has survived her two brothers and sister and lives in Cleveland, MO. Ken has numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. These include a nephew, Kenneth Rolland Thompson, who lives in Frankfort and has been like another son to him.

Besides Ken’s birth parents, he was strongly influenced by his stepfather, John Slager – John worked full-time in Kansas City. He a ran a dairy farm in Cass County, MO where he incorporated all the children in the work of farming. Ken often spoke of he and Delon getting up at 4 am to milk cows and all four children racing to see who could hand-pick the most corn. Those were precious memories and contributed so much to the skills and attitude that shaped Ken’s character in later years.

His mother, Bertha, was a strong woman also. She raised the children mostly alone and worked multiple jobs before marrying John. She too worked hard on the farm and the family made a success of the rural endeavor. That farm is still owned by the family. Ken has often credited his mother’s fortitude in the face of difficulty with his own ability to stick with unpleasant tasks and challenges.

Ken has a lengthy professional resume which began when he earned his Master of Arts in Public Administration at Kansas University. He worked in various capacities for DeKalb Co. in the Atlanta area from 1970-1978. He served as County Manager for Burke Co. North Carolina from 1978-80 and Orange Co. N.C. from 1981-1987. He brought his family to Kentucky in 1988 and began his tenure as Frankfort’s City Manager. He served in that capacity until 2002 which meant 14 years tenure as Frankfort’s City Manager…longest term to date.   He then formed an LLC and did consulting work for Richmond, Nicholasville and later served as Interim City Manager of Bowling Green, KY. He concluded his professional career by working with FEMA from 2010-2012.

While residing in Frankfort, Ken bought a small farm in the Peaks Mill area. He built a cattle herd which became his hobby, pride and joy. He and his wife moved into the remodeled farmhouse in 2015, and that lovely house is where he died.

Ken was blessed with a long life of service, friendship and family. His final expressions were gratefulness and joy.  His reward of eternity in heaven is a celebration as it should be for those whose hope in Christ. 

A Graveside Service will be held at Peaks Mill Christian Church Cemetery, 11am on Wednesday April 20th, 2022. Serving as Pallbearers will be Kaleb Duckworth, Stuart Collett, Eddie Thompson, Alex Guy, Scotty Campbell, and Kevin Farley. Honorary Pallbearers include Andy Griffith, Barry Togal, and Truett Cohorn.

In lieu of flowers Ken’s wish is for donations to be made to www.promisekidsafuture.org a ministry in which he fully supported. 

Wednesday
20
April

Graveside Service

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Peaks Mill Christian Church Cemetery
Peaks Mill Road
Frankfort, Kentucky, United States