Deacon John Thompson

Deacon John R. Thompson, 89, of Kansas City, peacefully slipped away on August 6, 2012 at home with Agnes, his wife of 64 years, at his side. John served as an airman in WWII, having flown on numerous combat missions, the most notable of which was D Day. His interest in planes led John, after the war and a brief stint at Greyhound, to work for TWA. John worked at the TWA overhaul base for 32 years until his retirement in 1983. It was upon his retirement that John came upon the work that he found the most rewarding, which was that of a permanent deacon. Ordained in 1984, John was assigned to his home parish of St. Mark’s in Independence, MO where he could be found pouring water over the heads of infants at baptism, holding hands of the sick and dying, responding with compassion to the poor, and teaching those ready to be confirmed in the church. John loved nothing more than serving the church and serving the altar. John’s proudest legacy is the family he and Agnes created: their eight children; Karen Tenenbaum (Wayne), PFC James Thompson (deceased), Col. William Edward Thompson, DDS. (ret) (Yolie), Rev. Mary K. Siegmund (Mark), John “Jack” Thompson II (Sue), Diana Taylor (Steve), Donald Thompson (Bridgette), Jeffry Thompson (Karen); 25 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. John was a faithful, dedicated, and humble servant who will be sorely missed. The family wishes to thank Dr. Elizabeth Dang, Dr. H. Ponnuru, and Dr. Gary Berger and Hospice Care of the Midwest for all their support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Mark’s Catholic Church, or Hospice Care of the Midwest; 4731 S. Cochise Dr.; Suite 120: Independence, MO, 64055. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012 with a memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church; 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Rd.; Independence, MO. Inurnment is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”