Richard was a 1953 graduate of Quincy High School, where he had an illustrious athletic career in football, basketball and baseball. As a junior he started as a guard on the '51-52 basketball team that lost the state championship game to Hebron. Richard went to the University of Illinois on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Quincy College, where he started for three years and helped the Hawks reach the NAIA national tournament for the first time. Richard was also one of the top fast pitch softball pitchers in the nation, playing in the International Softball Congress World Tournmants in 1963 and 1964 and throwing a no-hitter and a perfect game between those two tournament appearances. Richard also hit .333 and .400 in those tournaments, and in 1964 he was named the MVP and an All-American. His sports career was not over after he stopped playing, Richard went on to serve as an official for both football and basketball for the Illinois High School Association.

Mr. Thompson was a beloved teacher and disciplinarian, a man of deep Christian faith, a remarkable athlete and respected community leader. Throughout his 35-year tenure at the Quincy Public Schools and 20 plus years at the Bus Barn, his dedication to the students was unparalleled, instilling in them not only academic knowledge but also values of integrity and responsibility.

After graduating from Quincy College, in 1957, with his degree in Elementary Education, Richard began teaching at Quincy Junior High School, where he was the first African American to be hired at QJHS, teaching basic math. He was also the first African American Dean of Students and Assistant Principal, blazing a trail for others in the Quincy community.

He served on many boards and committees over the years including, the Mayor's Human Rights Committee/Commission, the YMCA Board, the Society of Fine Arts Board, the Blessing Hospital Affiliates Board, Jackson/Lincoln Swim Pool Complex Board, the Fishers of Men Board, and the Referendum Committee to build 5 new elementary schools.

Richard was inducted to the Quincy High School Blue Devil Hall of Fame, the Quincy College Hall of Fame, and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was the second recipient of Chaddock's Harry and Carlene Geisler Friend of Children Award, and he received the Dream Big award in 2017.

His deep Christian faith served as a guiding light in both his personal and professional life, shaping his interactions with compassion and understanding. He was a long-time member of The Crossing Church, where he has served as an elder for over 15 years. Richard's impact on the men of The Crossing cannot be quantified.

Mr. Thompson's legacy will live on through his family, friends, and all the students he guided over the years.

Survivors in addition to his wife of 68 years, Mary, include six children, Tony Thompson of Quincy, Tim (Therese) Thompson of Bloomington, IL, Terry (Robin) Thompson of Sioux Falls, SD, Lynn Johnson of Quincy, Todd (Dawna) Thompson of Ridge Spring, SC, and Wanita Thompson of Bloomington, IL; eight grandchildren, Anthony (Jenny) Thompson, Danielle Thompson, Shana Thompson, Dustin Thompson, Casey Huffington, Shelby Thompson, Zac Thompson, and Alex Thompson; 12 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, and all his siblings.

Visitation: 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, February 9, 2024, at The Crossing Church.

Services: 10:30 am on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at The Crossing Church, with Pastor Jim Dennis officiating.

Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois

Memorial donations may be made to The Crossing (for the Uncommon Men's Conference). Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald-Whig on Feb. 6, 2024.