Ken was a wise and supportive colleague, a true physician who took himself seriously and got it right. I worked with Ken long distance when I was a Caron medical director in Texas, and he was with the mother ship in Pennsylvania. I only wish I could have worked with him on site on a daily basis. My condolences to the family and Ken’s many friends.  — John M. Talmadge, MD from Dallas, Texas

Thinking of Dr. Thompson today and remembering how he changed my life. I carry a piece of him with me wherever I go ♥️

Ken was one of the most compassionate physicians I have ever known.  he was beyond concern for every patient's welfare. He was a terrific role model. Lynn Hankes, MD

Ken was simply an authentic compassionate physician. He was the "rea; dea;." What you saw was what you got. Still miss him. Lynn Hankes, MD

Remembering Ken today.  A wonderful friend and mentor.

I just learned of Ken's passing as I was trying to locate him to ask  him a clinical question. I am heartbroken as  I have not been in contact for several years . He was a gentle genius in the recovery field and I am certain he is deeply missed by his family. He was loved and appreciated by his colleagues. I personally am grieved today. See you in heaven friend.

Ken was the poster boy for equanimity.  He is missed. Lynn Hankes, MD

You are my favorite cousin I remember all the Holidays we all got together. We all miss you very much.

Dr. Thompson was one of the kindest and most compassionate physicians I’ve ever worked with.  He was eloquent, insightful, and had a gift for relating to those in need of guidance and spiritual support.  He was known for having an infectious smile, a big heart and seeing the good in others, even when they could not.  I will always remember his advice to me as a physician assistant, “All you need is a heart.” 

I am so grateful that my path crossed with Dr. Thompson’s at Black Bear Lodge. He taught me a lot about recovery and treatment in our time working together. I am fortunate to have met him and will cherish my memories of him. Thank you Dr. Thompson for never being too busy to talk or to help others. 

I could say so many things about Dr T , after working under him at BBL.  As many things as he accomplished in life,  his kind nature was his best quality. What a blessing you were and you taught me so much.
RIP  Dr T and God bless your family. 

It was a privilege to work with Ken at Caron during his time here.  I learned much and shared much humor.  I am saddened to hear of his passing and send my condolences to the whole family and my colleagues who worked with him as I know we all share some pain.

Dear Ken, 
I am grateful that we communicated before you moved on from this world.  I shared with you Jim Brickman’s piano piece Sun, Moon, and Stars.  I appreciate your feedback and guidance as I have navigated my career in addiction medicine and my journey as a human being.

Your friend,
Johnny

I have known Ken my entire life. He was my cousin and the brother I never had. Being 4 years older than me I always looked up to Ken. He was my hero in a lot of ways and kids always want to emulate their heroes. My Aunt Peggy used to save a lot of Ken’s old clothes and give them to my mom for me as hand me downs. One time I got an old leather jacket. At least I thought it was leather. Regardless, it was from Ken and a treasured possession that I unfortunately grew out of too fast.
I remember he had a science project due in junior high. He made an analog computer. It was a wooden box. Then using old copper weather stripping as contact points he added hand-built cogs on wheels. These triggered a variety of old Christmas lights to display the sum and voila he made an adding machine. The scientist in him was born.
He was always looking for new adventures and unfortunately one of those adventures went really bad. He was playing around with some small firecrackers he found in our grandfather’s shed. Things were going well until one of the firecrackers turned out to be a blasting cap rather than a firecracker. When it went off it sent quite a bit of shrapnel his way. He spent a lot of the summer in the hospital. 
One memory I will always have was when I was 6 or 7 and Ken was 10 or 11. His older sister Karen was dying of kidney disease. I didn’t understand any of it. All I knew was that she was very weak and in and out of hospitals. They were living with our grandparents at family central so we were there a lot. Karen was too weak to do anything herself. Ken was lifting her out of her bed and carrying her wherever and then back. He did this every time she needed help. I never heard him complain that Karen was getting all of the attention and he was receiving little. Being that age he certainly could have complained but never a word. He was the care giver even then.
I have a thousand memories and every one of them is good. God bless you Ken. Your cousins will all miss you.


Ken was a terrific person, a superior physician, and an inspiration to many of us. He was creative, brilliant, compassionate, and inquisitive. American medicine and the world of recovery have lost an icon. 

What a BLESSING  Dr. Thompson has been in our life!  We are so thankful for the lessons he taught, many without saying a word...just by walking the walk.
His humility, authenticity, compassion, love, support, and encouragement will never be forgotten.
Until we meet again...
Peace, Love, and Respect Always 
Dear Friend and Mentor.



My deepest sympathies to Dr. Thompson’s family. I met Dr. Thompson through his daughter. Hayley, my heart is with you. I know how much you loved your Dad. He was a real
life superhero who saved so many lives. I’m praying for you and your family. I’m so very sorry for your loss. 

Dr. Thompson was placed in my path at exactly the right moment. I am certain I would not be here today if I was not graced with his care and expertise. I’m sure there are countless others like me. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. He was a very special person and certainly will be missed. 

I had the privilege of working with Ken for over 4 years.  Ken was a wonderful colleague and friend and a great physician.  Ken lived his recovery principles and encouraged and reminded those around him to do the same.  I have many good memories of our time together.  I will miss our talks.  Ken, rest in peace my friend.
Greg Gable

Dear Patti and Lauren and Ethan and family,
I wish I could have met this wonderful man who loved you all and made you so happy !  I feel blessed to have prayed for each of you and seen your joy over the years as Dr. Ken Thompson entered your lives.
Patti thank you for your visit this year and sharing the joy of your family... my love and prayers to you all.

I had the great privilege of working with Ken, and being his friend, at Charter Springs in Ocala, Fl many years ago and maintaining it through episodic visits. He never failed to brighten the day! A good man, through and through!

As I sit here and contemplate the passing of Dr. Ken Thompson, I find myself grateful to have known him, feel privileged to have worked for him when I did, and to have experienced his humility and warm nature.  His memory will live on serving as a role model for me and so many others. Thank you for for your kindness, Dr. Thompson. Your impact on me is great. To Patti, his children, and grandchildren, Dr. Thompson never fell short of sharing with us his love for you and how proud he was of his family. 

I appreciate, every day, the care and guidance I received from Dr. Thompson. I do so much appreciate his support for me at such a critical time. He impacted me in ways that I hope will continue to serve me well for the rest of my life. I think of our time together often. I will miss him.

Love and prayers to all of the family.

Of the many blessings that came with recovery, one of the most indelible was the impact Dr. Thompson had on my outlook as a parent and as a doctor. I am truly thankful that I got to meet him and learn from his wisdom.

Earlier today I was in a bad mood and I remembered Dr. Thompson asking me once , “how are you doing with shame?”  It was a surprising question at the time because I hadn’t realized it had been nagging at me, but over the course of several weeks he gently guided me into letting go of shame. As I was on my run today, I remembered his question again and realized part of my bad mood was revived shame, nagging at me once again. Dr. Thompson’s heartfelt advice came back to me in a rush and made me feel better within minutes. I feel privileged to have his kindly, wise and generous voice still guiding me today, just as his impish grin, twinkling eyes and warm heart burn brightly in my mind’s eye. Having Dr. Thompson as my doctor was a true gift. 

I only wish I had, had the opportunity to know Ken better.  I’m so very thankful for the amazing way he cherished and loved his Patti each and every day, right up until his parting.  It was an honor to be a part of helping the family as Ken prepared to go home to see Jesus.  My prayers and condolences go out to all of the family as they grieve through their loss.  My prayer for you all is that  God’s Grace will shower over all of you in the days, months and years to come. 

I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Thompson at Caron for several years.  He helped me respect and love the science of change and recovery and his passion for recovery was palpable and contagious.  His compassion for patients at their darkest moments was one of the greatest parts of running the health care group with him. He cared about people to their core and was a good man.  He talked highly of his wife, his children and his grandchildren showing the importance of balancing his family and his profession.  I am grateful for his mentorship and to have spent time with him.

With great respect, 

Kate Appleman

I am so saddened to hear of Dr. Thompson's passing. He was a remarkable person in every way. He helped me through a very dark and difficult time in my life and taught me so much. I am grateful for every moment and memory. I send my deepest sympathy to his family and want them to know that he left a lasting imprint on my heart forever. God bless, Amy 

I walked into Talbott Recovery Campus in mid December 2019 full of shame and fear and sat in Dr Thompson’s office not knowing that in him I would find a place of safety and peace to reveal and relieve the decades of pain I had locked inside - the secrets that were keeping me sick.  He was the embodiment of wisdom and kindness at a time in my life when I thought there may be no solution - no hope.   He saw in me who I could truly BE if I laid these burdens down and he continued to voice that belief in me up until several days before he passed.  I am blessed and forever changed by his ability to be a conduit of love and acceptance.  A week before our last contact I sat in prayerful meditation thinking about the beautiful fragility of life and what it means to consider Dr Thompson’s legacy that will live in in the hearts and minds of so many.  The following came out of that contemplation...

We are but Daisies

When darkness folds around us 
    And star shine fills the sky 
When breath like feathers falling
    Escapes us one last time
When eyes come close in silence
    Open then to inner song
When about us stand in quiet
    Those gathered to lead us home
For we are all but daisies
Fair petals like a crown 
Each one a love that’s given
Each one a love laid down
For love alone sustains us 
Both now and summers end 
For love alone retains us 
Until the roads last bend 
Lean in now close and listen
This song of joy and cheer
For daisies 
             beget daisies 
                             beget daisies 
In love there is no fear.

We are a garden full of daisies

Dr Thompson was one of the best doctors I ever had the honor of working with! He was an amazing man, mentor and friend.  The world has been forever changed for the better because of him! 

In addition to being one of the most humble, kind men I've ever met, Ken was an artist.  It was a delight to talk wood working with him and to see how he interpreted his grandkid's ideas into something beautiful for them to treasure.  He loved making things for Patti and each gift is  magnificent.  From the selection of the wood to the finished product,  he made things well.  He lived well.  He loved well.  I'll miss you, Dr. Ken.

Dr. Thompson has touched my life in ways that can’t be measured. He has been a part of my personal recovery journey. I am forever grateful to him, and grateful to his family for sharing him. 

Ken was a great Internist,  leader in the  field of Addiction Medicine, mentor to many, and a terrific role model. He was the poster-boy for equanimity. His gentle demeanor and warm smile were contagious.  Lynn Hankes, MD

The staff of Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery would like to extend our most sincere condolence to the Thompson Family. We would like to thank you for entrusting the care of your love one into our hands. Please remember you are not alone and we will always be here for you. 

OBITUARY

Kenneth Wayne Thompson

February 11, 1951 – September 20, 2020

Roswell Funeral Home & Green Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum

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