Kenneth L. Thompson, 80, went to be with his Lord on Oct. 11, 2004. He was born in Terre Haute, Ind., on July 14, 1924, to Berlin and Pearl Thompson. He met his wife-to-be, Anna Kennedy, when they were children. Ken served as a machinist in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific. They married during his Navy years on May 26, 1945, a few months before the end of the war. God gave them three wonderful children. He worked most of his life as a manufacturers’ representative for many metal-fabricating companies. With Ann’s help in the office, God gave Ken great success in business.

In the fall of 1959 Ken began memorizing Scripture to be a counselor at an Indianapolis evangelistic crusade. Ken wrote, “It is strange how a man can be active in church for years not having any concept of Jesus Christ, the gospel, the Bible, or other vital truths. And yet, years later I saw that God was behind the scenes bringing me to salvation.” Over a period of five weeks of Bible memory work, Ken was convinced of the gospel. Through the Scriptures Ken memorized, he learned he was a sinner and that Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for his sin. One verse, John 1:12, cut deep into his heart. Late one night Ken trusted in Christ as his Savior. He wrote, “My confidence in salvation was strengthened by another verse I had memorized, I John 5:11-12. My life took on a marvelous change and has continued to be strengthened through the years by that very same Word, the Bible. Now I see that many circumstances of my life were ordered by God to bring me to Himself.”

Ken’s witness for Christ was lived out through his active involvement in Christian Business Men’s Committee, Young Life, and his daily contacts with others. Ken was most known by many as the portrayer of the Apostle Peter. In this role, his love of memorizing and quoting Scripture shone brightly.

Ken and his family were active in the life and ministry of Second Reformed Presbyterian Church for almost 40 years. Ken was an active elder, and later the moderator of the Great Lakes–Gulf Presbytery. Ken was an avid fisherman, and a master gardener. He loved working with the youth of the church in caring for the church grounds. Ken’s Crew continues today as a vital service to the church and an important ministry to youth.

He is survived by his loving wife, Anna; his two sons, Joe (and Roseanne) and Mike (and Deb); daughter, Nancy (and Doug) Jesch; 16 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and sister, Joy Myers, and two brothers, Norman and Charles. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Eugene.

—Second Indianapolis, Ind., RPC