Richard Thompson

DOTHAN…Mr. Richard Thompson, a resident of Dothan, died early Tuesday morning, July 8, 2025, at his home. He was 64.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 11, 2025, in Southside Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Dr. Tim Bates officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:30 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Thompson, the beloved son of the late James Thompson—who proudly served his country as a Sergeant Major in the United States Army—and Joan Madeline Leonard Thompson, was born and raised in the close-knit community of Dearborn, Michigan. From a young age, he carried with him the values of hard work, loyalty, and quiet strength—traits he no doubt inherited from his parents.

He spent his teenage years in Alaska, where he graduated from Bartlett High School. Those years shaped him in many ways—he learned to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, the importance of perseverance, and the joy of simple things like a good laugh with friends or a quiet moment under the open sky.

In the 1980s, Mr. Thompson made his way to Dothan, Alabama, a place that quickly became home. He built a life rooted in community, kindness, and a deep appreciation for the little things that make life meaningful.

He had a true passion for fishing—there was nothing quite like the peace he found by the water, waiting patiently for a bite, soaking in the stillness of nature. Saturdays in the fall were sacred, as he cheered on his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide with unwavering pride. And if you ever needed help with a car, he was your guy. He loved getting under the hood, fixing things with his hands, and sharing what he knew with anyone who asked. For him, working on cars wasn’t just a hobby—it was a way to connect, to teach, and to lend a helping hand.

Mr. Thompson will be remembered not just for the things he loved, but for the way he made others feel—welcomed, supported, and seen. His life was a quiet testament to the power of kindness, the strength of family, and the beauty of a well-lived life.

Surviving relatives include his brothers, James “Jim” Thompson (Jan), Cullman, Danny Thompson, John Thompson, both of Dothan, and David Thompson (Stephanie), Enterprise; nieces, Mirna Thompson, Amadeua Thompson, and Brenda Thompson; nephew, Matthew Hood.