Larry K. Thompson, 75 of Little York, IL went to his heavenly home at 2:30pm, February 13, 2021 at OSF St Francis Hospital in Peoria, IL.
Larry was born on Jan 10, 1946 the son of Lawrence E. and Margaret (Davis) Thompson in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was raised in the Monmouth and Little York area. He attended school in Kirkwood/Little York and graduated from Yorkwood H.S. in 1964. He attended the University of Illinois studying Engineering. He served in the United States Navy with SeaBee’s (MCB11) in Vietnam DMZ Dong Ha 1966-1968 as a heavy equipment operator.
Larry married Betty J. Wright on March 2nd, 2002. He was a 3rd generation farmer in Warren and Henderson Counties since 1968. Larry was a steward of the farmland he loved. He was an avid collector and restorer of antique tractors and equipment. John Deere recognized his abilities to restore tractors and featured him in the John Deere Magazine. In 2006, he was selected by John Deere CEO Bob Lane to do an international promotional commercial that aired in 13 countries.
Larry enjoyed helping and visiting with all his neighbors. Larry loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and operating his bulldozer, no tree was safe in his path. He loved having his grandchildren out to the farm to teach them about farming. His family and grandkids were his whole world. Each grandkid was taught how to perfectly dunk an Oreo into a glass of cold milk. He always took the opportunity to share his skills and knowledge with the future generations which has left his lasting legacy with many. To this point, he was selected as “2002 Parent of the Year” at St. Ambrose University.
Most days, Larry could be found working in his shop. He had the knowledge and skills to take apart and put together almost any machine. He also had strong hands and every tool available for these oily endeavors.
Larry loved exploring God’s great world. From visiting Ireland where his ancestors set sail for America, to Alaska, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Montana, San Francisco, Yellowstone and everywhere in between. He loved the wide-open spaces and observing God’s creations.
But most of all Larry was a man of a great Catholic faith. He was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and served as a trustee at St. Andrews Church in Oquawka, IL. It is that faith that gives his family comfort that he is now in the arms of Jesus.
Larry is survived by his wife Betty J. Thompson, his children, Teresa (Cheri) Thompson, PJ Thompson, Paul (Breann) Thompson, Jeanna (Steve) Ross, Deanna (Ben) Hannel, and Bobbi (Kirk) Ishmael; his grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Dalton) Hannel, Emma Ross, Isabelle Ross, Ethan Hannel, Sophia Ishmael, Kenzington Thompson, Nolan Thompson, Callen Thompson, and Carson Thompson; his aunts, Martha Driscoll and Grace Dollinger; 2 nieces, Laura Thompson and Christel Thompson; 1 nephew, Michael Thompson; his sister in law, Rachel Thompson.
Larry was welcomed into heaven by his parents and brother, Richard Thompson.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Monmouth, 11:00 am, Friday, February 19, 2021 with a Rosary Service beginning at 10:30 am. All the services at the church will be streamed live on the Immaculate Conception Church YouTube page. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Monmouth, IL. Open visitation will be from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 18, 2021 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Galesburg Community Foundation to establish the Larry Thompson Agricultural and Engineering Scholarship. Donations can be made online at www.yourgcf.org, or mailed to; Galesburg Community Foundation, 246 E. Main St., Suite 101 Galesburg, IL 61401. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all attendees are required to wear a mask and social distance. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
