Richard Thompson Obituary

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Our Favoriate teacher, has gone home to be with the Lord. O yes we will miss him, but know he is home. I rejoice knowing that he is watching us, with a raised eyebrow, only the way Mr. T can. (smile) T.N.T( you were always tough, but always together.) I am blessed to have had you in my life. Love always, To God be the Glory for your life
Ina Bena,
Robena

MR.T YOU WERE A LOVABLE, CARING AND OVER ALL A FUNNY MAN. I'M SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE MEET SOMEONE LIKE YOU. REST IN PEACE YOUR JOB HERE WAS WELL DONE.
CLASS OF 1989

i am sorry about the loss of a Great man. richard Ellis Thompson was a father to those who had no father and a very Great man, I can no begin to tell people what this man has done for me. Mr. T aka POPS, you will be greatly missed. We will neet again. remember , if you snap the whip, I'll make the trip. I do have a goodie, for those who knew.... Anthony Cook aka Bodyguard. the Ring he wore around his neck belong to me. I am the one.

I am so sorry for the Loss of Richard E. Thompson aka Pops, Mr. T, and Dad to some of us who had no dads . I am deeply hurt by this but Pops always said "you have got to have a goodie and if you snap the whip , I will make the trip.

The Word of God states that we are only here for a season and Mr. T during his season was used well by God. We Harlanites will all miss him but he does lives in our hearts and I am grateful that our paths crossed. To the Family stay encourage and know that God in the midst and He will send you the Comforter. God Bless You!~

Mr. T was one of the most caring Asst. Principals at Harlan. Our lost is Heaven's gain.... Pamela A. Wilson C/O 73' and Gregory Neal C/O 74'

Mr. T, God said servant job well done, come and take your rest. We know that you are not here physically but your spirit will live on. You will be missed by all. I can remember when we all went to Spain together. You made that trip educational and fun. I still cherish that memory. It was such a pleasure to have you in my life and to fellowship with you and your church over the past 30 years. Such an awe inspiring man. We all loved you but God loves you more.

My heart felt sympathy goes out to Mr. T's family. I will always remember him as being the most outstanding individual he was. Family please remember "earth has no sorrow, that heaven cannot heal"
Brigitte C. Saffold
Class of 1976

To the Thompson Family: We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. Prayerfully yours, Dianne Willis Nunley c/o 1976

To my favorite late cousin, for all to see! Your birthday and Barbara's, same day! I will miss you for the rest of my life. All the knowledge that you've passed on to me since I was a kid, will live forever! Through all the sports and education I've been involved in, Basketball, Baseball and Football in the Chicago/Seattle area high school and college. Just last month when we talked on the phone, you said "if you feel or think your situation is troubling, take a look around you and you'll see that someone else's life is a lot worst". I knew something was seriously and really wrong with my cousin then. For the people that didn't know Richard, his wit,humor and passion for education and higher learning would all spilled out in the hallways of Harlan & Dunbar high schools and around some of his close friends. Lastly, the professional speaker: That's when you would see the serious side, when he would speak to an organization on several topics, he spoked sometimes in third party. Very intelligent! Goodbye cuz and God be with you! You will be missed! Love always, Your cuz, Narciso Cisco B. Collins

Mr. T. will always be Mr. Harlan. Not only was he a great mentor but a great teacher. I am so produd that he was was my geography teacher. As he taught me especially his motto of "stop crying and start trying" serve all of his students will. Due to his profound teaching and administrative style, Mr. T made me a better teacher and a better administrator. I am sorry I could not attend the funeral due to my own health issues and I know Mr. T would have understood. MY sympathy goes out to the family to one of the best educators in the world and which could never be duplicated. He will be sorely miss!

May God be with the family during this time. Mr T. will always be remembered. Marilyn Jones Taylor Class of 73

I
am so sorry to hear of Mr. Thompson’s passing and send his family my deepest condolences. My brother Ken, who is 7 years my senior, was also sad to hear. He remembered the class he took from Mr. T and his presence. The gentleman was always compassionate, dapper and dedicated. His “How ya doin’ Baby?” as he walked quickly by, will always be a fond memory. He moved with a purpose and kept us on the straight and narrow. Thank you for all you did. (Class of 1972)

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

for the RHS class of 53 to his family. he loved us and we loved him. he wanted to be at the 55 year reunion in july . we will remember him.Pleas Fisher chrm.

I am saddened to learn of the demise of "Mr. T." He was a teacher who had great empathy for his students. He expected the best from us and went out of his way to help make school fullfilling and fun. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Kenneth L Smith Class of 1966

Mr. Thompson was well loved by all of the Falcon's pasted and present he will alway be a part of our lives as long as Harlan High School stands and goes on. My prays and thoughts are with the family in their time of the lost of their loved one. My sympathy goes to you all. My family and I will keep you and your family in our prays. The Jacksons, Allen and Smith Family... Class of 1971 and 1976

Good teachers are rare. Administrators who really care about students are even rarer. MR T was one of the best.

I have many fond memories of my cousin and friend, Richard. There were many parallels in our lives as alumni of Roosevelt High School and Roosevelt University. Both of us were educators and administrators in the Chicago Public Schools. Richard retired as assistant principal of Harlan High School a few years ago and I retired as principal of Parkman Elementary School. Richard will be truly missed. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

Richard was an energetic and committed educator. I met him years ago through his brother and sister-in-law, Moran and "Pudgy" Thompson. Being an educator myself I know that he will be missed by his family and friends who have my deepest sympathy.

Will be missed Mr. T (Office E 87'-89')

Dear Thompson Family,

May the Grace and Peace be with you at this time of sorrow. Your sorrow will soon turn your mourning into comfort and Joy that he has given to you during his lifetime
God Bless
EMMANUEH


(Neighbor 500)

Farewell, dear cuz. We shared so many great experiences during and after growing up in our hometown, Gary, IN. We graduated from the same Roosevelt High School and went on to obtain bachelors and masters degrees from Roosevelt University. From there, both of us were prominent teachers and adminisrators in the Chicago Public Schools. However, you retired a few years before I retired as principal of Parkman Elementary School. I will always treasure our close relationship as cousins and friends.

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

May the Lord hold you in the hollow of his hands and protect up under the shadow of His mighty wings until this has passed. Your cousin Percy

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

It is not what we do for ourselves that people will remember it is what we do for others. (BWD)
Mr. Thompson touch the lives of so many that he will never be forgotten. I am glad that he passed through by my life on his journey to this end.

Bathsheba class of "70"