Richard A. Thompson

Richard A. Thompson, 90, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024. He was born in Putnam County on May 18, 1934, a son of Fred and Hazel Thompson. Dick grew up in Putnam County along with his siblings Donald, Ethel, Shirley Sue, Norma Jean, and Judy. He attended school in various towns throughout the county and graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1952. He remained active in the Bainbridge Alumni Association and served as president in the past. On January 2,1955, he married the love of his life, Clara Maude Wilson, (with Purdue basketball being a close second) while still a student at Purdue University. He and Clara started their family in West Lafayette and remained there until he graduated from Purdue in 1957. He went on to receive his master’s degree in Secondary Administration from Purdue and was a proud member of the Purdue Alumni Association and the John Purdue Club. Dick and Clara moved to North Salem in 1961 when he began teaching chemistry and physics at North Salem High School. They raised their family there and were an active part of the community for several years. He founded and coached Little League baseball in the community, including coaching all four of his sons, served as the parade chairman for the Old-Fashioned Days celebrations, was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Lions Club organization, Eastern Star, Shriners, the North Salem chapter of the Masons, a member of the Hendricks County Farm Bureau, and the Gideons. Dick was a teacher, coach, and principal at North Salem and New Ross schools, and was the first principal at Tri West High School when the school opened in 1975. He continued as an administrator and teacher until he retired to focus on his career in the Indiana State Legislature. He was a State Representative for 6 years, a State Senator for 12 years and was dedicated to serving his constituents. Dick also owned a painting company with his brother-in-law, Roger Clark, and was often seen throughout the county painting barns, grain bins, and houses. Dick served on many committees and held many positions throughout the years, including on The North Salem State Bank board of directors, a Hendricks County Councilman, the Hendricks County Republican Chairman, on the Central Indiana Boy Scouts council, Hendricks County 4-H Fair Board, and the Indiana Barn Foundation where he was instrumental in having the Normandy Barn moved to the State Fairgrounds and did much of the restoration. He also received numerous awards and recognition including Sagamore of the Wabash, Tri West Wall of Excellence, Indiana Horse Racing Hall of Fame, and was a Torchbearer for the Hendricks County Bicentennial. Dick considered his greatest achievement in life being a father, a Papaw, and a great grandfather. He was so proud of his grandchildren and attended countless events with a smile on his face and was often heard bragging about them to anyone with ears! Dick was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Lester and Lillie Wilson; a brother; three sisters; and grandsons, Noah Thompson, Chet Thompson, and Chad Thompson. He is survived by his wife, Clara; his sons, Jeff (Michelle), Bert, Kent (Beverly), and Todd (Patti) Thompson; daughter, Lori (Rick) Sheffer; grandchildren, Keith, Tylan, Matthew, Jordan, Cara, Caleb, Isaac, Quinton, Marissa, Abe, Lydia, Josiah, and Anna; 10 great grandchildren; sister, Judy (Rick) Parent; brother-in-law, Harve (Dixie)Wilson; and his dedicated caregiver, Deedee Orazine. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Tri West High School, 7883 IN-39, Lizton, Indiana. Visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will follow services at Fairview Cemetery in North Salem. Porter and Hunt Funeral Home of North Salem has been entrusted with his arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Hendricks County Community Foundation, 6319 E US Hwy 36 Suite 211, Avon, IN 46123, or to the Tri-West Dollars for Scholars, North West Hendricks School Corporation 104 North Church Street, PO Box 70, Lizton, IN 46149.