Richard Arthur Thompson

Richard A. Thompson passed away peacefully on Wednesday night, March 12, 2025. Born on August 22, 1930, in Phoenix, Arizona, Richard was the son of Charles Butler Thompson and Mina Caroline (Lindsholm) Thompson. Richard, his parents, and three brothers, moved to Mendocino County in 1942. A graduate of Ukiah High School (class of 1948), Richard began work in construction on Masonite Road the day after graduation. He started operating heavy equipment on that job and continued in the construction business for the next sixty plus years.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1955, Richard was stationed in South Korea. Discharged two years later, Richard returned to Ukiah and helped build the Coyote Valley Dam. While working on the dam, he met his future wife, Charlene Smith. Charlene was introduced to Richard by her father, Henry Smith aka “Smitty.” She wrecked Richard’s 1956 Chevy Bel Air while driving without a license on their first date. Richard switched seats with Charlene and took the ticket meant for her. Three months later, they eloped and were married in Reno, Nevada on July 31, 1957. It was true love.

By 1967 Richard and Charlene had five children. It was then that Richard decided he wanted an even bigger adventure than raising five kids and moved his family to the remote South Pacific Island of Tutuila, American Samoa. Richard spent four years as the Superintendent of Road Construction on the island. His time in American Samoa was special, he bought a boat and became an avid fisherman, deep sea fishing every day. Richard and his family visited Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Caledonia, and Hawaii.

Returning to Ukiah, Richard passed his California Contractors License Exam, bought a used D8 Caterpillar, and went into business for himself, establishing Thompson Excavating and Grading. He spent more than forty years clearing fields, building ponds, roads, and dams from Trinity County to Death Valley and everyplace in-between. Later in life, Richard bought a motorhome and traveled with his wife and family throughout the Western United States, cruised the Caribbean, Europe, and Mediterranean, took in hit shows on Broadway, and relaxed on beaches in Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Richard is survived by his wife and partner of 67 years, Charlene (Smith) Thompson, his children, Richard L. Thompson and wife Robin, Jenny Moon, Julianne (Thompson) Resnick, Gary Scott Thompson and wife Dori Jacobs, Diana (Thompson) Davidson and husband Bill, 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mina, his brothers and their wives, George and Eleanore, Oren and Gloria, Charles and Jeanne, and his son-in-law Sidney Resnick.

Richard’s Celebration of Life will be held at Eversole Mortuary, March 21, 2025, at 1:00pm. Donations may be made in Richard’s memory to any charity of your choice.