Richard (Rich) L. Thompson, 73, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. He was born August 25,1944, and was raised in Mt. Pleasant, OH. Rich was the eldest son of Lewis Allen Thompson and Betty Ring Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Jim Thompson and Mark Thompson, and son, Todd Bair.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Emmy, brother, Curt Thompson (Phyllis), daughters Shelley Bowlin (Blake), Krista Thompson (Keith), Tammy Riner (Patrick), daughter-in-law Samantha Bair-Martin (Neil), 6 grandchildren: Levi Bowlin, Becca Bowlin, Abby Kemick (Nick), Cameron Riner, Daniel Bair, Blake Bair and five cousins and seven nieces and nephews.

Rich graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and Muskingum University, OH. He worked at Malone College in Ohio before he moved to Lake Wales, FL in 1975 to become Director of Admissions at Webber University. He also spent 10 years working in the transportation industry. He retired from Polk State College in 2011 as a Business and Development Manager. Rich volunteered for over 40 years on numerous community organizational boards and committees and served two terms on the Lake Wales City Commission and a term as Lake Wales City Mayor.

He and his wife attended South Lake Wales Church of God. He is a member of the Mt. Pleasant Evangelical Friends Church, the church where he grew up. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the South Lake Wales Church of God or the Mt. Pleasant Friends Church.

The visitation will be held at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018. A memorial service will be held at South Lake Wales Church of God at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 9, 2018.

Inurnment will be held at a later date at Short Creek Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, OH.