Albert Michael "Mike" Thompson

Albert Michael “Mike” Thompson Sr., 84, of Owensboro died Monday, July 31^st 2023 in Owensboro.

He was born Nov 8^th 1938 to the late Hayden C. and Kathleen Head Thompson in Daviess County.  Mike was an active member of Precious Blood Catholic Church, serving on the Pastoral Council, Picnic Committee, Finance Committee, was a Eucharistic Minister, Precious Blood School Board, and was primarily responsible for the planning, design, and construction of the Parish Rectory.

Mike graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1956, received his B.S. in E.E. from the University of Kentucky in 1961 and worked in his profession at Texas Gas Transmission for 3 years in Owensboro, Ky, and then he became co-owner of Johnson Electric Co., Owensboro Electric Supply Co., May Electric Co., Midwest Electric Supply Co., Johnson Thompson Farms, Owensboro Precast Concrete Co., Johnson Brothers Realty Co., and Southland Electric Supply Co, retiring from Southland Electric Supply Co., after 34 years of service, where he made many friends.

Mr. Thompson entered service with the Missouri Air National Guard, served in the Kentucky Air National Guard and in the Air Force Reserves.

Mike was a member of the Kentucky Society of Electrical Engineers, a 30 year West Daviess County Water District Commissioner, and served 26 years as Chairman.  He was a Daviess County Lions Club member, Chairman of the 1970 Daviess County Fair, and was primarily responsible for the planning, design and construction of the Daviess County Fairgrounds in Philpot, Ky.

Mike was a charter member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, served for 9 years and chaired for 3 years.  He also served on the Diocese of Owensboro Administration Committee for 19 years.

Mike loved being a volunteer.  He worked with the Catholic School Superintendent to prepare the financial planning for the 14 parishes to consolidate the Owensboro Area Catholic Schools into the one OCS System.  He then worked with the Director of Catholic Schools to re-configure the seven Schools into the present 4 sites.  He was awarded a lifetime membership in the Catholic High “Gold and Emerald” club in appreciation of his service.

Mike served 10 years on the Brescia University Board of Trustees. 

Mike’s volunteer projects include the Original Break Room at Brescia College, The First Newman Club Chapel at the University of Kentucky, Precious Blood Rectory, Daviess County Fairgrounds, Glenmary House at the Center, The Art and Marie McRaith Building at St Raphael, The White Fence at St Raphael, The Deck at St Stephens Rectory, the Playground at OCS 4-6 Center, and His Favorite Tree House built with his two grandsons Kevin and Hayden Thompson.

Mike was the leader for 19 years in the Glenmary Pumpkin and Mum Sales, a fundraiser for the Glenmary Home Missions.

Mike loved Gaited Show Horses and owned 12 or more.  His children showed them on the National Circuit and won several National and World Championships.  He also loved the Belgian Horses and loved giving hayrides to hundreds of folks at St Raphael with his good friend Bishop John McRaith.

Mike was devoted to God, his church, his wife, his family and his friends.  He enjoyed travel, horses, and his John Deere tractors and Owensboro Wagons.

Mike and Cloa made every effort to travel 49 of the 50 states missing only Hawaii.  They traveled extensively in Italy and were blessed to meet Pope John Paul II.

Mike loved to be with the family especially on vacations, weddings, birthdays and holidays.  He loved Friday night gatherings at St Raphael with his long time friends and loved UK Basketball and practical jokes.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hayden, Kathleen, and Sadie Thompson, six brothers; Joseph H, Thomas M, John A, Richard V, Charles D (Dan) Thompson and S. Ray Norris, and four sisters Florence M Lovejoy, Pallie R. Kurz, Geraldine Payne, and Beulah Herrell.

Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years , Cloa Johnson Thompson; two sons, Albert M Thompson Jr. (Molly), William (Bill) Hayden Thompson (Valerie) both of Owensboro Ky.; one daughter Kathy Jo Van (Ron) of Gold Canyon AZ, twelve grandchildren, Megan (Eugene), Kate (Brian), Lin (Cara), Kevin, Tricia (Robert), Hayden (Megan), Rachel, Stephen, John (Katelyn), Peter (Beth), Elizabeth (Ryan), Emily and two great granddaughters, Joanna and Evelyn.  Also surviving are three sisters, Marilyn Osborne of Owensboro, Clara Sue Downs of Hopkinsville, and Peggy Steinsberger of Speedway Indiana, and many nephews and nieces.

A Funeral Mass for Mike will be 10 AM Friday, August 4, at Precious Blood Catholic Church with burial following in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 3 PM until 7:30 PM Thursday with prayers at 7 PM at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and from 9 AM until the time of the service Friday at Precious Blood.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Owensboro Catholic Schools, 1524 W. Parrish Avenue, Owensboro, KY  42301 or to Precious Blood Catholic Church, 3306 Fenmore Street, Owensboro, KY  42301.  Messages and condolences to the family can be shared at www.glenncares.com.