Kenneth Wayne Thompson of Bells, Texas graduated to the throne room of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday August 14, 2021, at the age of 73 after several days of hospitalization.

He was born May 1, 1948, in Sherman, Texas. Ken was the first of four children born to William (Bill) Harry and Betty Sue (Bernard) Thompson. Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak Ken had been an active member of Bells First Baptist Church where he taught the senior adult Sunday school class, attended Sunday worship services, men’s Bible study groups, Tuesday adult Bible study and prayer meeting, also assisting with the Wednesday afterschool program where he earned the title of the Brownie Man because he made the very best homemade brownies. He dearly loved his church family and spending time with likeminded believers. He also enjoyed container gardening when his health permitted and, since Covid, researched and taught himself the art of Bonsai gardening. He was always an avid reader and in the last several years his focus turned primarily on the Bible, which he read through several times.

Before his retiring to a quiet country life of going to church and playing in the dirt, Ken had a diverse work history. He was active in ROTC before graduating from Irving High School in 1966. Then he joined the U.S. Navy to see the world aboard the USS Shangri-La working in the control room as a radioman for about two years. He separated from the Navy due to his stubborn streak – he did not see the point in learning morse code since the Navy was no longer using it but required it for advancement. He worked in the publishing business in the Dallas area. He also worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas. After he married, he worked full time, went to college part time and became a dad, his most fulfilling and favorite job of all. He worked hard to provide, even working two and three jobs at times to try and ensure his children could strive towards their dreams. Later Ken and Keith moved to Sherman where they became active at Fairview Baptist Church where Ken taught the singles’ class and did lay counseling with singles and their children. Keith went to school until graduating then joining the U.S. Air Force while Ken worked for a couple of local factories. Ken later remarried and became a homeschooling dad of two elementary school age children and a Dallas Morning News carrier. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren. If you asked him about his children, you could tell how much love and pride he had in each of them for who they had become as adults.

Kenneth will be sorely missed by his children Keith and Monica Thompson of Peyton, Colorado and their two sons Derrick, currently attending Iowa State in Ames, Iowa and Will also of Peyton, Colorado; Dr. Terra Hackett and Daniel Dobrowolski of Rowlett; Gary Hackett and Dr. Heidi Hackett of Poteau, Oklahoma; sisters Marjorie LeFevre of Hamlin; Margaret and husband Rick Russell of Rule; and countless nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, many cousins, and innumerable friends. This man will also be missed by his church family, caregiver and best friend BeLinda Engler of Bells, his always ready to go, “Just give me 10 minutes” personal Uber driver Rudene Langner, also of Bells, along with his personal on sight nurse Jessica Reynolds and her wonderful husband Jimmy Reynolds – the go-to guy when things were not working correctly. Ken’s family extended well past blood lines and there are so many who loved him and will miss him.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Betty Thompson; sister, Theresa Stephens, brother-in-law, Olson LeFevre; and great nephew Blake Stephens.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 25th, 2021 at the First Baptist Church 105 S. Pecan Bells, Texas 75414. Visitation will be before the service from 10:00 to 11:00 with services starting at 11:00. Inurnment will be at Greenwood Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, 105 S. Pecan St, Bells, TX 75414.