HENRY THOMPSON

Henry Raymond Thompson, Sr. was born December 14, 1929 to the union of Solomon Henry Thompson, Jr. and Clara Lucille Thompson. Henry's mother, father, sister Suzanne Thompson Knowles and one son Henry Raymond Thompson, JR. preceded him in death. His life was all-inclusive in many areas as he excelled in his educational achievements, served his country in the US Army Medical Company in Heilbronn, Germany and in the US Army Reserves. He received many athletic honors, proudly served in various healthcare leadership roles, participated in legacy organizations, and will be cherished as a father and a friend to those who truly knew him.

 Henry was a product of the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1947 from Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He continued his education at the University of Kansas and Emporia State University. His education was interrupted after being drafted into the US Army during the Korean War conflict.

He excelled as an athlete in track and field while in college as well as in the army. He was a member of the US Army Track Team and participated in the NATO Nations Track Meet in Copenhagen, Denmark where he won a silver medal and two gold medals in the 100M, 200M and 4x 100M relay respectively. After his active-duty service, he returned to Emporia State University where he served as captain of the track team, a record setting member of the Sprint Medley Relay Team at the Drake Relays, president of the Letterman’s Club and, he was a quarter-mile champion for the National Association of Collegiate Athletics,(N.A.I.A.) and a three-time N.A.I.A all American. Henry was inducted into the Emporia State University Athletics Department, Hall of Honors. After earning a B.S. degree in education, he continued his studies at the University of Iowa securing an advanced degree in physical therapy. He went on to serve as head of the Physical Therapy Department of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He then earned a second Masters Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Systems and Administration.

 Henry served as the Director of Primary Healthcare in Broward County, Florida and also served on the Broward County Florida Board of County Commissioners. He was very proud to have authored, designed and implemented a comprehensive concept for the delivery of primary healthcare services to the medically deprived residents of Broward County, Florida. Previously he also served as the Administrator for the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine located in Miami, Florida.

 Henry was involved in numerous social activities. He was inducted into the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1951. In 1971 he was inducted into Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (the Boule’) of Kansas City, Missouri, representing the third generation of Archons in the family. He served 52 years in various leadership roles and positions in Theta Boule’ of Kansas City, Missouri, Alpha Rho Boule’ of Miami, Florida and Alpha Lamda Boule’ of Savannah, Georgia. Like his grandfather Dr. S. H. Thompson, Sr. charter member of Theta Boule’, Henry was instrumental in chartering the Epsilon Mu Boule’ on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina in 2012. In 2022 he received a special recognition for 50 years of membership in the fraternity at the Grand Boule’ in Nassau, Bahamas. Henry was also a member of several other clubs, including the Greater Kansas City Set Club, the Elks Club, and a member of the American Legion on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Henry was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with family and friends discussing family ancestry and Kansas City history. He was a jazz enthusiast and loved spending time reminiscing over classic hits.

Henry Raymond Thompson, Sr, is survived by one son, Miguel Williams, MD of Chatsworth, California {Sarah}; one grandson, Miles Ramon Williams of New York, New York,; two granddaughters, Amanda Suzette Ingram of Atlanta, Georgia and Nicole Simone Williams of Los Angeles, California; one niece, Linda Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri and numerous other cousins, including Ronah Raymond Gray, William McLen, Donald McLen and James McLen, Virgil Moore {Wynnona}; and Douglas Thompson, a host of many extended relatives and numerous Friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of HENRY THOMPSON, please visit our floral store.