It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved father, LaVon Emery Thompson. He was 91, passing away Jan. 27, 2021, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born March 15, 1929, in Ulysses, to Guy Emery and Mary A. (Coons) Thompson. He was met in heaven by the love of his life – Lorrine.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Patricia Wooledge, JoAnn Lockmann, June Bernhart, and Bob Thompson.
LaVon was a 1949 graduate of Partridge High School. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. LaVon was employed by Union Equity, a grain elevator company, retiring as superintendent in 1990 with over 30 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, Hutchinson, and a retired member of the Grain Elevators and Processing Society (GEAPS). Past President of the Reno County Pork Producers. LaVon was a member of the Haven Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni, and volunteered at the National Junior College Basketball Tournament held in Hutchinson.
On June 25, 1955, he married Lorrine Agnes Mann, in Hutchinson. They shared over 57 years of marriage, prior to her death on July 23, 2012.
In 1969, LaVon and Lorrine purchased forty acres of land south of Hutchinson and moved their family to the country. Being a talented craftsman, LaVon built many of the buildings on the farm, ran miles of water lines, and poured acres of concrete. He could fix nearly anything and never threw anything away. LaVon’s strong work ethic was visible to many and he instilled that in his children. LaVon truly led by example.
He was our hero, living a long, wonderful life. LaVon didn’t know a stranger and there wasn’t a dessert he didn’t like. He loved a good pair of overalls, and it was a rare occasion if he didn’t have some stain on his shirt (he had a tendency to miss his mouth whenever he was drinking coffee or sneaking a sweet treat). There wasn’t a place he couldn’t take a nap and he loved taking pictures. LaVon never missed a ball game or livestock show. In fact, he became ‘Grandpa’ to many of the friends he made at the activities he attended. He loved his friends and family, and we are blessed and grateful to have him in our lives.
LaVon is survived by his children, Greg and wife Patty Thompson of Hutchinson, Lori and husband Phil Wilson of Lakeville, MN, and Julie and husband Tim Dowd of Olathe; nine grandchildren, Adrienne Platt and husband Travis, Austin Thompson wife Breanna, Sam Wilson, Katie Wilson, Michael Dowd, Emily Dowd, Taci Slyter, Allison Goff, and Bryleigh Goff ; seven great-grandchildren, Brantley, Camden and Hayes Platt, Gage Smith, Kingston and Saylor Slyder, and Atticus Shultz.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, with Marc Hall officiating. The family asks that attendees follow COVID protocol. Burial will follow in the Sylvia Cemetery, Sylvia. Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.
To view the funeral service online, the link will be available at the end of LaVon’s obituary on the Elliott Mortuary website on the day of the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kansas State Fair Grand Drive Committee or USD #312 for (Haven High School Girls’ Athletics), in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.