Richard Thompson

Richard Franklin Thompson, 98, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024, at The Delaney on Lake Waco.

Burial services will be in Canton, Texas with a family ceremony. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024, at The Texas Ranger Public Safety Education Center located at the Texas Ranger Museum complex in Waco, Texas.

Richard (known as Dick Thompson in DPS) lived a legendary and colorful life. His life exemplified the “Greatest Generation” as he was one of their last unsung heroes.

Born on a farm in rural Kaufman Country, he learned the value of hard work, word of honor, and grit. He rode his horse to country schools, read by coal oil lamps, swam in water tanks, shot rifles, and labored in the fields helping his family and others.

With the waging war in the South Pacific, he was drafted into the Navy his senior year in high school. His work ethic, skills, and toughness quickly advanced him to Coxswain, (Chief Petty Officer First Class) where he steered the largest landing craft in the Pacific. He landed the First Marine Division through heavy artillery in one of the bloodiest battles with the highest casualties on the Island of Peleliu.

Returning home from the war, Richard attended a community business school. He later met his soulmate, Lois J. Melton, and they married on November 16, 1950. Deciding to pursue a career in law enforcement, he enrolled in the Texas Department of Public Safety Recruiting Academy at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas.

As an elite state trooper, Richard was selected to participate in President Kennedy’s Motorcade in Dallas, Texas, 1963. He was charged with driving the White House Press just five cars behind President Kennedy. As an eyewitness of the event, he could recount every second of what happened. In the aftermath, he was assigned the role of securing Governor Connally’s hospital room.

He had a stellar career of 35 years with DPS in several roles: highway patrolman, license and weight (commercial vehicles), riot sergeant, recruit school law teacher. He retired as Lt. with License and Weight, and then became part of the Special Ranger Commission, of which he was the most proud. At the age of 95 he was still qualifying at the gun range to carry this badge along with his revolver.

Richard put his family first and foremost. He was a devoted husband to Lois and dedicated dad to his daughter, Roxanne. He worked hard to give his family everything he didn’t have growing up. His greatest passions in life were being on the water and dancing! Many family vacations and summer weekends were spent on a ski boat at various lakes. In his later life, cruises became a part of his life as he couldn’t get enough of being at sea.

Richard was known to be quite the dancer! He and Lois loved square dancing, round dancing, ballroom dancing and belonged to several dance clubs. After Lois’s death, he continued to dance and even taught others to dance.

Richard was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, including a Men’s Sunday School Class, which he enjoyed attending for many years. He was a Master Mason with Blue Lodge #92 and former Grand Lodge Master. He was also a former member of the Karem Shriners.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Ester Thompson; two brothers, Charles Thompson and Jack Thompson; and his wife, Lois Melton Thompson.

He is survived by his daughter, Roxanne Thompson Burchfiel and her husband, Bryan Burchfiel; as well as two grandchildren, Richard Brayson Burchfiel, and Bryn Burchfiel Triana and her husband, Geno.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of The Delaney at Lake Waco for their loving and supportive care. Special thanks and appreciation goes to Jessica Gonzales who was extraordinary in her individual passion and care.

In honor of Richard Thompson and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be mailed to Texas Scottish Rite for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219. If mailing a check, please include his name on the memo line. Online donations can be made using this link:

Donate Now - Scottish Rite for Children (convio.net) or at scottishriteforchildren.org

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.