Kenneth Thompson

Kenny may be gone from this earthly life, but he will Never be forgotten!
Kenneth “Kenny” Lorenzo Thompson was born on November 24, 1963, to Luther J. Thompson and Daisy L. Thompson in Macon, Georgia. He departed this earthly life on Monday, May 9, 2022.
Kenny, as affectionately known by many, graduated from DuVal High School in Lanham, Maryland and attended Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) where he received an Associate’s of Arts degree.
Kenny grew up in a loving home with his mother and father along with his siblings where having the love and relations with Jesus Christ was taught as this was the embodiment and foundation of the family.

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The Loved Life
Kenny exemplified a passion for art/drawing early in his life. He LOVED to draw. His passion for drawing was discovered by his elementary school teacher, Mrs. Phelps. One day while he was in class, Kenny was drawing and not paying attention. Mrs. Phelps saw this……well, let’s just say he got into trouble! Nevertheless, he did not stop drawing! Mrs. Phelps noticed his passion for drawing and his artistic talent. She also recognized that he was a natural artist and encouraged his parents to take the necessary steps to ensure he attended art school. His parents took this to heart and encouraged Kenny throughout his middle and high school years to expound on his artistic ability. Kenny continued on this path wherein he enrolled in Prince George’s Community College and received an Associates of Arts Degree in CAD-Architectural Drafting. He landed his first professional position as a Junior Architect with an Architectural/Construction Design organization in Bethesda, MD. His love for artistic expression continued not only in his career as an adult, but Kenny also exhibited and willed that talent to the next generation in the family by “putting the pencil” into his two nephews, James and Joshua Parker’s hands. In doing so, the love of artistic expression continued to be fostered.
Not only did he have a passion to draw; he also had a love for sports and participated on many sports teams during his high school years. He LOVED baseball and wrestling so much that he joined both the high school baseball and wrestling teams. His parents and siblings would always cheer for him at the games. With him having 4 sisters…and yes, his sisters were loud with their cheers, Kenny always had his own cheering squad and his team members knew it. Kenny was recognized for his wrestling talent by Santo Chase. Santo was a close friend of the Thompson family for many years and served as the wrestling coach at DuVal High School. Santo encouraged Kenny to get involved into wrestling and trained Kenny on various wrestling techniques which led to winning several matches. However, Kenny’s love for wrestling did not stop there. He later became the wrestling coach at DuVal high school during the 1991-1992 school year. The kids absolutely loved Coach Thompson and had a blast while traveling for several high school wrestling competitions. Again, Kenny passed the torch of wrestling down to his

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nephew, Warren “TJ” Thompson, Jr., wherein TJ proceeded to join his high school wrestling team and won many matches and placed in the State of Maryland Wrestling Tournament.
He enjoyed “southern cooking” and he LOVED to eat. In his eyes, no one could out cook his mother, his Aunt Virginia, Aunt Lora Dean, his cousin, Dr. Lula Williams, all from Macon, GA; and, his niece, Ponder Thompson-Rummel of Laurel, MD. Kenny enjoyed the many family trips to Georgia; he enjoyed visiting with his aunties, cousins and so many others but could not wait to eat and enjoy the food.
Kenny along with his brother, Anthony, were very protective of their sisters. This is something that was instilled in them by their father, Bishop Luther J. Thompson. The brothers may not have agreed with their father all the time and/or with each other; but you be sure that if someone hurt one of their sisters, it was “on and popping”.

He had a fondness for shopping at thrift stores and having yard sales. This was truly something passed to him by his mother, Evangelist Daisy L. Thompson, who was known as the thrift store and yard sale queen. You could literally ask Kenny for anything, and he would have it to give it to you. He enjoyed engaging with the customers which lead to the development of many friendships throughout the years.
He relished in playing the guitar. When he first started playing, it did not sound that great. Nevertheless, Kenny continued to practice and became the guitar player for the church where his father was the pastor and family attended. He also would have practice sessions with Nathan Rummel where both would discuss music, baseball, and politics.
Most importantly of all, Kenny enjoyed helping people. His devotion for helping others led him to work for several non-profit organizations that focused on community programs like job training, placement services, and classes for people who have disabilities or were otherwise challenged in finding traditional employment.

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His Memory Will Live On
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Bishop Luther and Evangelist Daisy Thompson and his brother, James Henry Thompson. He leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Glenda Ann Petty (Eugene) of Laurel, MD; his brother Vergal Anthony Thompson of Annapolis, MD; his sister Lora Ann Thompson-Wright (George) of Severn, MD; his sister Sarah Louise Thompson of Bowie, MD; his sister Mar’Tina Thompson Parker of Bowie, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Aunties, other relatives and friends.

Kenny will never be forgotten. His spirit and all the memories created during his earthly time will always be with his family and will forever live in their hearts.

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. I’m following the path God has chosen for me. I took his hand when I heard Him call; I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I’ve now found peace at the end of the day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joys. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; oh yes, these things, I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow. Look for the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seems all too brief; don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief. Lift up your heart and peace to thee. God wanted me now. He set me free!

Internment

Fort Lincoln Cemetery
3401 Bladensburg Road
Brentwood, Maryland 20722

Acknowledgements

The Thompson family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, condolences, well wishes, care packages, flowers, and overall support during our time of bereavement.

Additionally, we extend special thanks to everyone who participated on the program.

Much appreciation to the following vendors who provided stellar customer service:

Ronald Taylor II Funeral Home; Ft. Lincoln Cemetery, Florist

Pallbearers

Vergal Thompson
George Wright, Jr.
George Wright, III
Tony Moore
Kenneth Carter
Christopher Van Buren

The family has elected to continue to observe COVID restrictions and will not be hosting a repass.

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Photo collage