Obituary for Jay Thompson
Richard John “Jay” Thompson, 76, of Jefferson City, MO passed away Friday, January 20, 2023.
Jay was born on September 12, 1946, in Minneapolis, MN, a son of Richard Lyle and Ruth Aida (Bottke) Thompson. Known then as Rick, he grew up in Excelsior, MN, and graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1964.
He then served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War stationed in England, specializing in communications until 1968. He enjoyed trips to London and attended the boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Henry Cooper and gambled in the same club as Telly Savalas who was there filming The Dirty Dozen.
After his service he attended St. Cloud State College where he first picked up the nickname Jay and graduated in 1974. At college he met the love of his life, Laramie May Otte, and they were married on June 10, 1972, in Northfield, MN.
A resident of central Missouri since 1976, Jay was employed with the State of Missouri’s Department of Health in the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. He was proud to write grants that brought millions of dollars into the state of Missouri for the bureau. He worked there until his retirement in 2000 as the Acting Director of the Department of Health.
Jay was an active member of the B.P.O., Elks Lodge 513 and served as Exalted Ruler and treasurer. He enjoyed meeting with friends there to play pitch in the afternoons. He also volunteered with Laramie at the Wolfner Library for the Blind to help record books, stocked shelves at the Samaritan Center, and assisted with the hospitality cart at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Jay enjoyed golfing with friends and family. He loved the game so much he bought his grandchildren their first golf clubs to share his passion. He enjoyed watching old movies and reading.
Jay and Laramie enjoyed wintering in South Padre Island and traveling to various spots around the world. Jay’s grandchildren were his pride and joy and he loved supporting them through sports and recitals.
Survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Laramie Thompson; two daughters, Andrea Bryan (J.B.) of St. Charles, MO and Beth Calvert (Patrick Maloney) of St. Peters, MO; four grandchildren, Jack Bryan, Alex Bryan, Elliot Calvert and Luke Calvert; four siblings, Lyle Thompson (Mary Homan) of Denver, CO, Lee Thompson (Chan) of Matthews, NC, Becky Wilcox (Jack) of Lincoln, CA, and Barbara Gould (Michael) of Manzanita, OR; sister-in-law, Loralie Illa (Kevin); brothers-in-law, Larry Trumbo, Glen Otte (Laurie), Gary Otte (Bonnie), Tom Otte (Marie), Don Otte (Bev), Andy Otte (Chris), Dan Otte (Cheryl) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Trumbo; his in-laws, Dwain and Lorraine Otte; and sister-in-law, Pat Otte.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, January 26, 2023, with a memorial service following at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Freeman Chapel.
A webcast of Jay’s service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday for friends that are not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to The Wounded Warrior Project.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Jay was born on September 12, 1946, in Minneapolis, MN, a son of Richard Lyle and Ruth Aida (Bottke) Thompson. Known then as Rick, he grew up in Excelsior, MN, and graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1964.
He then served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War stationed in England, specializing in communications until 1968. He enjoyed trips to London and attended the boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Henry Cooper and gambled in the same club as Telly Savalas who was there filming The Dirty Dozen.
After his service he attended St. Cloud State College where he first picked up the nickname Jay and graduated in 1974. At college he met the love of his life, Laramie May Otte, and they were married on June 10, 1972, in Northfield, MN.
A resident of central Missouri since 1976, Jay was employed with the State of Missouri’s Department of Health in the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. He was proud to write grants that brought millions of dollars into the state of Missouri for the bureau. He worked there until his retirement in 2000 as the Acting Director of the Department of Health.
Jay was an active member of the B.P.O., Elks Lodge 513 and served as Exalted Ruler and treasurer. He enjoyed meeting with friends there to play pitch in the afternoons. He also volunteered with Laramie at the Wolfner Library for the Blind to help record books, stocked shelves at the Samaritan Center, and assisted with the hospitality cart at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Jay enjoyed golfing with friends and family. He loved the game so much he bought his grandchildren their first golf clubs to share his passion. He enjoyed watching old movies and reading.
Jay and Laramie enjoyed wintering in South Padre Island and traveling to various spots around the world. Jay’s grandchildren were his pride and joy and he loved supporting them through sports and recitals.
Survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Laramie Thompson; two daughters, Andrea Bryan (J.B.) of St. Charles, MO and Beth Calvert (Patrick Maloney) of St. Peters, MO; four grandchildren, Jack Bryan, Alex Bryan, Elliot Calvert and Luke Calvert; four siblings, Lyle Thompson (Mary Homan) of Denver, CO, Lee Thompson (Chan) of Matthews, NC, Becky Wilcox (Jack) of Lincoln, CA, and Barbara Gould (Michael) of Manzanita, OR; sister-in-law, Loralie Illa (Kevin); brothers-in-law, Larry Trumbo, Glen Otte (Laurie), Gary Otte (Bonnie), Tom Otte (Marie), Don Otte (Bev), Andy Otte (Chris), Dan Otte (Cheryl) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Trumbo; his in-laws, Dwain and Lorraine Otte; and sister-in-law, Pat Otte.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, January 26, 2023, with a memorial service following at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Freeman Chapel.
A webcast of Jay’s service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday for friends that are not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to The Wounded Warrior Project.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.