George R "Dick" Thompson

George Richard Thompson, 85, died Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Known by his nickname, Dick was the eldest of ten children of George and Lorna Thompson. He was born in St. Clair, Michigan on May 23, 1939. He graduated as salutatorian from St. Clair High School in 1957, where he was drum major for two years. He received his associate’s degree from Port Huron Junior College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The Defiance College in 1963. Dick did his graduate studies in business administration at Kent State University. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a national honorary in business administration.

Dick married Sondra Lee Rhoad in 1964. After she graduated from Kent State she began teaching in Akron, Ohio, while Dick was on his first job with Diamond Crystal Salt company, also in Akron. Sondra died in 2011 after a bike accident, ending their 46-year marriage.

Dick is survived by wife, Elizabeth (nee. Leach), a friend since childhood; daughters, Kimberly Sladicki (Michael), Lisa Thompson and granddaughters, Kiana and Kyra Sladicki. He is also survived by all nine of his brothers and sisters and lots of nieces and nephews, and two stepdaughters and their families.

Dick spent his entire career in the salt industry, becoming a vice president of Diamond Crystal and later senior vice president and general manager of Akzo Nobel Salt.

Dick was an active churchman in three denominations over his lifetime. He served as moderator of the Eastern Michigan Association of The United Church of Christ, and was later on the Board of Ordained Ministry in the United Methodist Church. He served a small congregation while in college and preached as pulpit supply in both denominations for over 50 years. He was instrumental in starting an ecumenical group of Muslims, Jews and Christians in Binghamton, NY, a continuing ed program for clergy and laity, and served in retirement as director of development of the United Methodist Sky Lake Camp, turning it into a year-round conference center in New York State. Dick served as a deacon at Church of The Palms, Presbyterian Church (USA). He also served as president of two Rotary Clubs and was on the board of trustees of two colleges, the United Way of Lackawanna County, PA, and a school board in Michigan.

Dick was a woodworker all his life and received a Congressional Citation in 2010 for his work in preserving interest in the hand-carved American carousel. After moving to Florida in 2010 he tried his hand at painting, turning out over 50 canvases of which 25 are based on Biblical themes. He was the author of numerous chancel dramas.

A service to celebrate his life will take place Saturday, September 7th at 2:00 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34239. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to COP at the above address.

Local arrangements are by Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com