Kenneth Wells Thompson

Kenneth Wells Thompson, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend - passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at the age of 80. He was surrounded by his family. Ken was born on May 2, 1942 to his parents Warren and Florence in Malden, Massachusetts. He graduated from Medford High School, where he met his beloved wife Carol, in 1960. Ken then attended the United States Coast Guard Academy, graduating in 1964, and began his long and distinguished career as a Coast Guard officer. His first Coast Guard assignment after graduating from the Academy was to the USCGC CASCO in Boston. In 1966, he commanded the patrol boat CAPE HENLOPEN in Washington state and he spent 1967 in Vietnam as the commanding officer of the patrol boat POINT MARONE. Following his tour in Vietnam, he served as a watch officer in the Operations Center in Juneau, Alaska, taught mathematics at the Coast Guard Academy, served as a deck watch officer aboard EAGLE during summer training cruises, earned a Masters of Public Administration at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and then returned to Juneau where he was the project officer for the establishment of the Vessel Traffic System (VTS) in Prince William Sound. In 1977, he was assigned as Executive Officer of USCGC DECISIVE in New Castle, NH. Two years later he became the Commanding Officer of the VTS in Galveston, TX, and in 1982 he was assigned to USCGC VIGOROUS as Commanding Officer in New London, CT. In subsequent years, Ken served in three assignments at USCG Headquarters in Washington, DC, followed by 4 years in Boston as the Chief of Operations, and as the District Chief of Staff for the First Coast Guard District. He retired in 1994 as a Captain after 30 years of dedicated service. After retiring from active duty, Ken continued to work professionally for 8 years as a consultant on the Deepwater Project, a multi-million-dollar plan to modernize the Coast Guard. In retirement, Ken enjoyed traveling, fishing, and spending time with Carol and friends at their camp in Pittsburg, NH. He found delight in supporting his grandchildren in their various activities¬musical theatre and chorus, gymnastics, baseball, soccer, football, cheerleading, lacrosse, volleyball, and snowboarding - often traveling out of state to cheer on his beloved grandchildren. Anyone who knew Ken well, knew he was a devoted family man. His love for his family was unwavering. His passion for living each day to the fullest unmatched, and his integrity undisputed. Ken's sense of humor and charm will be remembered by all who knew him. Ken is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol; daughter Julie, her husband Chris and their two children - Ryan and Kelsey- all of Cary, NC; daughter Laurie, her husband Eric and their two children - Jake and Megan - all of Chesapeake, VA; daughter Jill, her husband Tom, and their three children - Lily, Sam, and Brooke - all of Ashland, VA; and his brother Paul of Medford, MA. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Jane Ellen, who died in infancy. Visitation will be Thursday, November 17 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and a service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, November 18 at 11:00 AM, both at Woody Funeral Home on Parham Road in Richmond, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to The United States Coast Guard Foundation (https://coastguardfoundation.org), The Coast Guard Alumni Association (https://www.cgaalumni.org), or FeedMore, Richmond (http://give.feedmore.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com for the Thompson family.