Raymond L. Thompson
January 21, 2011

Raymond L. Thompson, age 87, formerly of 1534 Gehring Ave., Quincy, died Friday, January 21, 2011 at 7:05 AM at Good Samaritan Home.

Ray was born on October 28, 1923 and raised on a cattle and grain farm in Kendall County. He graduated from Kendall County High School in 1941. In 1946 he married Fern Brown, and they had three sons. Their marriage ended in 1963. In 1964, he married Judy Dilley, and they had two children. She died in 1987. In 1991 he married Barbara Grimsley. She survives.

Mr. Thompson's work career began by working with his father on the cattle and grain farm. Later, he bought and sold feeder cattle for 11 years. For four years, he worked as the organizational director for the County Farmer's Company. From 1961 to 1983 he worked in law enforcement as a livestock marketing specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After an early retirement, Ray maintained the greens for 16 years at the Illini Golf Course in Springfield, Illinois. He relocated to Quincy in 1992 where he maintained the lawns and equipment at Quincy Country Club until 2004.

Ray was a member of Christ Lutheran Church. He loved his family very much. He especially loved children. He enjoyed music and square-dancing. Ray was interested in political history and read many books on the subject. However, his favorite hobby was working in the yard.

In addition to his wife, survivors include: four sons: Ed and his wife, Anita, of Tequesta, FL; Charles of Ft. Worth, TX; Neil and his wife, Karen, of Columbus, IN; and Scott and his wife, Dana, of Edwardsville, IL; a daughter, Melinda Isaacs and her husband, Dave, of Springfield, IL; three step daughters: Tina Koontz and her husband, Scott, and Kimberly Kenady and her husband, David, all of Quincy, and Amy Allen of Fayetteville, NC; a sister, Evelyn Johnson of Sandwich, IL; a brother-in-law, John Boeing of Quincy; 13 grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wives, Fern and Judy, he was preceded in death by two infant sons: Phillip Owen and Keith Owen; an infant daughter, Rose Marie; his parents, a twin brother, Robert; a brother, Gerry; a sister, Elaine Bell; a nephew, David Thompson; three sisters-in-law, Helen Thompson, Elfrieda Thompson, and Martha Boeing; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Bell and Roy Johnson.

Services: 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Pastor Bryan Meado officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation: 4 to 7 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011 in Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Memorials: Good Samaritan Home or Blessing Foundation for Hospice

www.hansenspear.com.

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

 

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