Richard Thompson – Metropolitan Funeral

Richard Thompson entered into eternal life on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the age of 92. He was born on November 3, 1929 in Dayton, Ohio to the late Dorothy Mobley and Theodore Thompson Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Nathaniel R. Mobley, three brothers, Theodore R Thompson Jr. Joseph J. Thompson, and Willis Thompson and one sister, Lillian Y. Thompson.

Richard spent his childhood and Dayton, Ohio. He attended Garfield Elementary and Willard Elementary Schools, St John’s Catholic School and Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. Richard accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he was baptized by Reverend Broadus.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943. He was a Seamen First Class. He served four years and was discharged in 1952.

He was employed as a Loader with General Motors until he moved to Manhattan, New York in 1953.

Richard had a skill and repairing electrical devices. He was employed as a Machine Operator at Waldes Korinor in Long Island City, New York and a Supervisor with the Ramada Inn Hotel in Manhattan, New York until his retirement in 1991. 

 In July 1992 Richard and his family moved to Norfolk, Virginia.

 Shortly after moving to Virginia he became a member of New Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church and was baptized again under the ministry of Reverend Joel Tomlin. Richard wore many hats in the church. He was a Trustee, an Usher, a member of the Men’s and the Sanctuary Choirs, and the Men’s Ministry. He held these positions until his health started to fail whenever a fundraiser was needed, Richard would get to work planning, calling, worrying people, doing whatever he needed to do to host his famous gospel extravagances where God would always show up and a good time would be held by all.

Richard was an Election Official for the City of Virginia Beach for 12 years. His last election was on November 2nd 2021, first day before his 92nd birthday.

Richard was a true man of God who really loved the Lord. He attributed his longevity to serving the lord while always saying that “the Lord is keeping me”. His favorite scripture was Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Richard was a real family man. He was the babysitter for five of his grandchildren, when they were babies, while their parents went to work. Richard, the Patriarch of his family, leaves to cherish his memories, the love of his life and his caretaker, his loving wife of 35 years, Lorraine Thompson, three sons: Jemeal (Telise), Kareem, Richard Kasim; 1 daughter: Takiya; 7 grandchildren: Jaquel (Meshadae), Amir, Naasir, Keyon, Kashanae, Kristian, Kori; 2 great grandchildren: Amiyah, Benjamin; two special nieces: Jaclyn Douglas, Dayton, Ohio and Theodora Smith, Roseville, California; one special nephew: Theodore R. Thompson III, Brentwood, California; Sister in Law, Lisa Smith; Brother in Law, Charles Gooden (Linda); Godson: Adekunle Adelakun; five special friends: Lewis E. Logan, Jr., Dayton, Ohio (friends since the age of 6 years old), Howard (Skip) Joyner, Long Island, New York, Seth Bailey, Portsmouth, Virginia, Jesse Dudley and Purnell Crawford, Virginia Beach, Virginia; his five favorite pastors: Reverend Joel Tomlin, Reverend Bernard Holmes, Reverend Fernando Russell, Sr., Reverend Kenneth L. Ruff and Reverend Earl Morris and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Let us not forget his favorite nurse, Karen Shavers, and his favorite Chaplins, William Williams and Ron Halsey and the staff at Suncrest Hospice Services.

Richard loved life and his family and lived each day to the fullest. He will forever be in our hearts.