Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson, 77, went home to be with the Lord on March 16, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and the steadfast hope of his faith. Born in Berkeley, California, Richard lived a life marked by devotion to God, to his family, and to the many people whose lives he touched through service, friendship, and quiet acts of kindness.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Willard and Elizabeth Thompson; his beloved in-laws, Richard and Lois Gainer; his brother, Ken Thompson; and his son, Rhett Thompson. He is survived by his cherished wife of nearly 55 years, Janice Thompson of Land O’ Lakes, Florida; his son Timothy Thompson and his wife Traci of Elm City, North Carolina, and their children Annika (23) and Dane (19); and his daughter Catherine Ginnane and her husband James of Wellington, New Zealand, and their children Jackson (12) and Emily (10). He is also survived by his sisters, Marilyn Serviss and Victoria Winterton, along with nineteen nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and great-nephews, and a large extended family who loved him dearly.

Richard was, first and foremost, a man of God. His faith was not merely a belief but the foundation of his life. He served as an elder in both the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in America. At the time of his passing, he was a member of Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida, and Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church in Smithfield, North Carolina. He loved the Psalms and returned to them daily, finding strength, comfort, and joy in God’s Word. Richard hoped to be remembered as a man who lived Scripture faithfully and who passed on a love for the Lord to his children and grandchildren. His legacy of devotion to God is already evident in the generations who follow him.

Richard dedicated 37 years to hospital administration as the Director of Risk Management in hospitals across North Carolina, serving with integrity, diligence, and compassion. Earlier in life, he traveled the world while serving in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam era.

He loved his family and friends fiercely. He enjoyed kayaking, fishing, hiking, cooking, and traveling. His favorite places reflected the chapters of his life: his homes in Florida and North Carolina, the majestic Yosemite Valley of his native California, and the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, where part of his heart lived with his daughter and her family.

A Memorial Service Celebrating Richard’s life and faith will be held at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. The service will be livestreamed for family and friends who are unable to attend in person, including loved ones in California and New Zealand.

Richard’s life was a testament to steadfast faith, enduring love, and a quiet strength rooted in Scripture. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and in the family who will carry his love forward.

2 Timothy 4:7 “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”