09/03/2025
Philip R. Thompson, of Lovelaceville, Kentucky, passed away from this life on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Now, he is healthy and joyfully with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Born in Peoria, Illinois, on October 14, 1950, to Leonard and Norma Jean Thompson, Philip (“with one ‘l,’ like in the Bible”) made his way back to the Promised Land of Kentucky before he was three months old.
Philip was a true follower of Jesus Christ and believed with all his heart that it was vitally important to have a quiet time with the Lord every day, reading the Word and praying. His faith made him attentive to the needs of others, serving his church and community in many roles over the years. Philip had a far-reaching generosity, and he was a greeter at Bethlehem Baptist in Cunningham because he wanted everyone to feel welcome when they came to church. He will be greatly missed at the door on Sundays!
An excellent storyteller, he may have exaggerated a tale or two, but it was for laughs, and he got plenty as a result. Philip was always ready with a one-liner or zinger to highlight his dry sense of humor. He had many interests and enjoyed playing golf with his buddies and reading — both limited activities due to illnesses later in his life. He played poker weekly with his “girls” (men he’d attended high school with), and he was an avid trivia player, who often carried his team to victory. He ended his trivia career leading his team to a perfect-score victory last Thursday night! Philip loved Julia’s cooking (hated her driving…) and ended every meal by telling her how good it was. He had loved her since she was 15 years old and was never shy about how much he loved her and her family.
Philip was a proud graduate of Heath High School, then entered the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam as a Brown Water Navy sailor — one of fewer than 2,500 who served that role in country. Afterward, he proudly worked for the family business, Lovelaceville Feed Mill, for many years, then became a longtime USEC employee and retired from the plant. Philip was also a farmer who raised to***co, cows, and hogs. His work ethic was legendary, and he never wanted anyone to outwork him — and few, if any, did.
Philip is survived by his wife of 52 years, Julia Gholson Thompson of Lovelaceville; his sons, Andy (Rachel) and Luke (Amanda) both of Lovelaceville; his grandchildren, Anna Thompson of Louisville, Addie Carter of Lovelaceville, and Heath Corley of Lovelaceville; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who were very special to Phil, and he was much loved by them.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Leonard and Norma Jean Thompson; his sister, Weda Thompson; his brother, David Thompson; and his father- and mother-in-law, Ferd and Sue Gholson, respectively.
Services will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Cunningham on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service to follow at noon.
The family requests that in-memoriam donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758540, Topeka, KS, 66675-8540 or Bethlehem Baptist Church, P.O. Box 468, Cunningham, KY, 42035.
Morrow Funeral Chapel in La Center is handling arrangements.
