Obituary of Kenneth Lee Thompson

Mr. Kenneth Lee Thompson, of Ozark, passed away at the age of 83 Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Funeral services for Mr. Thompson will be 10:00 A. M. Friday, October 4, 2024, from the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Reverend Dr. Jason Thrower officiating. Interment will be in Westview Memorial Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Thursday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P. M. Kenneth and his loving wife, Martha Dan, had recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He was affectionately known as “Papa,” and he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to so many. Kenneth graduated from Carroll High School and attended Auburn University. He was a proud small business owner—Ozark Peanut and Fertilizer Company—from which he had only recently retired. Kenneth was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ozark where Martha Dan and he were both very active. Kenneth often led the congregation in song while Martha Dan played piano. Kenneth served as song leader for the Kells Carroll Sunday School Class at the First United Methodist Church and was a member of both the FUMC finance committee and the administrative board. He was involved in his community and participated in a number of civic and charitable activities, including the Clinton Masonic Lodge 287, where he was a Past Master and formerly served as Senior Warden, and he was a long-time member of the Ozark Rotary Club and the Auburn Alumni Association. Kenneth also served on the board of the Ozark Housing Authority for many years. Kenneth was an avid reader, a golfer, and a dedicated Auburn fan. He had a competitive spirit, enjoyed singing and dancing, games and puzzles, and he relished a lively debate. He loved his family and friends. Kenneth appreciated music, poetry and art, and those around him would often hear him spontaneously burst into song. He was indeed a Renaissance man. We will all miss his wit and wisdom. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents John Perry “J.P.” Thompson and Dorothy Merle Thompson, along with his sister, Sheila Thompson Willis. He is survived by his wife, Martha Dan Turner Thompson, twin sons, Lee and Ken (Linda) and daughter, Danna (Robert), grandchildren, Ken, Jr. (Suzanne), Laura Lee, Chloe and Trae, and great grandchild, Mae Kirkland. Kenneth is also survived by his brother, Wilton Thompson, and sister, Dorothy Reese, and Bill and Donna Turner.