Kent “Barney” Edward Thompson was born on November 10, 1966 in Chillicothe, Missouri. At six months old Kent was hand picked to be the son of Lynden and Joyce Thompson of Grant City. This little blessing gave Lynden and Joyce many years of happiness and a few years of frustration, but they wouldn’t have had it any other way. Kent peacefully departed this life on April 27, 2022 being held by his family and his best friend.
Kent graduated from Worth County R-III High School in Grant City in 1985. This is where Kent excelled – science and math - not so much, but when it came to mischievousness and athletics, Kent was the master.
Kent, with the help of a few of his friends, was the expert “meat marinator” of the school. Please do NOT ask for the marinade recipe! In high school Kent was involved in sports his whole school career. You could see him sprinting down the football field in his wide receiver position or running relays on the track team.
Basketball was his love in high school. This love affair started when Kent was young, 8 or 9, when he would go over to the neighbor’s house scooping snow off the basketball pad so he could use their hoop. You could also find him dribbling his basketball up the sidewalk and shooting until shortly after dark at the old school playground. During his high school basketball career Kent’s total career points were 1677. He held this career point record until 1996, where during this time the 3 point line was introduced. Many friends and “fans” of Kent had said if he had had a 3 point line he would still be holding the record today. Kent has been only one of three Worth County basketball players to have received All-State basketball honors.
After high school Kent attended Tarkio College on a basketball scholarship. He played for two years and then transferred to Missouri Western for a time. He then spent a semester or two at Northwest.
Kent had numerous jobs before accepting a position at Berkel and Company Contractors. He worked with them for 25 years and recently held the position of Operator/Quality Control.
Sports was an important part of Kent’s life but on the top of Kent’s list was the importance of family and friends – which he had many. He had been compared to his dad, Lynden, as he never met a stranger and loved to talk to everybody . Kent was a genuine friend to everyone. He was the first one to come when anyone was in need. Kent didn’t go out of his way to help people and make them feel good, that WAS HIS WAY, but those of us who knew Kent realize he would also tell you how it was – either good or bad, and he did not hold back.
Kent was easily amused by people and his sense of humor was like no other. It was contagious and his laugh is one that was recognizable anywhere you went and we will miss it terribly. When Kent entered a room everyone knew he was there. Kent “Barney” lived life the way he knew and will always be remembered as a blessing to many. As he is now celebrating with other family and friends who have gone before him, we are left to treasure the stories of his escapades and memories that he has given to all of us.
Kent was preceded in death by his parents Lynden and Joyce Thompson.
Left to cherish his memory are sisters Karen (Jeff) Andrews, Kathy (Steve) McGrew, all of Grant City; nephews and nieces, Kendall Kobbe, Katelyn Frisch, Kyle Kobbe, all of Grant City, Claire (Dylan) Hobbs, Ridgeway, MO, Tess (Skylar) Lane, Maryville, MO, great-nephews and nieces, Camdain, Lucas, Bentley, Emmett and Gracee Frisch and Havok and Blaine Hobbs. Kent will be cherished and remembered by many many friends.
Funeral Services will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, MO. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to service time. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Allendale, MO.
Memorials may be to the Kent Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund through Worth County Education Foundation.
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