Lewis David Riddell Thompson

Lewis David Riddell Thompson, 75, passed away on November 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland before moving to Florida in 1953, where he graduated from Terry Parker High School in 1967 and Florida State University in 1971.

After being drafted, David joined the Florida Army National Guard and served for 34 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom serving as the Deputy Commander ("Mayor") of Camp Arifjan and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. Other career awards include the Florida Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. In 2010, he returned overseas mentoring Afghani Commandos at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan and serving as the Deputy Operations Manager at TFBSO-Iraq. David also retired in 2000 from Ford Motor Credit as the Business Development Manager before becoming Vice President of Operations for Auto-Credit.

David was an avid Florida State supporter and a football season ticket holder of over 45 years. He was a past President of the Seminole Club of Clay County and a member of Jacksonville Seminole Boosters. David was the 2014-2015 Captain of Ye Mystic Revellers. He was a member of the DeMolay International (Master Councilor), the Arlington Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite, the Morocco Temple Shriners, the Order of the Eastern Star (Past Patron), the National Guard Officers Association, the University Club of Jacksonville, the University Center Club, and the Meninak Club of Jacksonville.

David is survived by his wife of more than 48 years, Karen; his daughter, Katie Neilson (Rob); and his beloved grand dog, Landis. Extended family members include his mother-in-law, Kay Pendergras; sister-in-law, Kathie Thompson (Richard), in addition to nieces and nephews Bink Skinner (Maria), Ashley Skinner, Cooper Skinner, Kenny Trewin (Jason), Matt Thompson (Jennifer), Darcel Thompson, Luke Thompson (Kristin), Bria Thompson, and Brody Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elizabeth Thompson; his brothers Bill Thompson and Paul Thompson; and his father-in-law, Ken Pendergras.

Services will be held at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday, November 6th with visitation at 11:00 AM and a service at 11:30 AM officiated by Reverend Sarah Minton of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. A reception will follow the service at The River Club of Jacksonville. Interment will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, November 7th the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road Jacksonville, FL 32218. Guests are asked to arrive in Lane 1 prior to 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to K9s for Warriors.