Veteran produce industry journalist Tad Thompson succumbed to pancreatic cancer on April 8, 2024. He died in his hometown of Manhattan, KS.
He is survived by his wife, Debra (Hardin) Thompson, a native of Manhattan, and his children Reece Everett Thompson and daughter-in-law Rajee Kanagavel, who reside in Cairo, Egypt, as well as daughter Claire Thompson, of Miami. He is also survived by his mother, retired Manhattan real estate developer, Rosalie (Germann) Thompson, and his sister, Teresa Dunn, both of St. Louis, MO. He is also survived by his nieces Tiffany Dunn (Brad Funk) and Andrea Dunn (Steve Winterberg).
Preceding Thompson in death were his father, Paul Thompson and Reece and Claire's mother, Glynis J. Bean, who died in Philadelphia after a three-year battle with cancer in Sept. 2004.
Thompson graduated from Kansas State University in Journalism and Mass Communications in 1976 and soon entered the fresh fruit and vegetable specialty, working for The Packer newspaper in Kansas City. He worked widely in that industry until his cancer diagnosis on November 29, 2023. The 47-year career led him to live in metropolitan Philadelphia, New York City, Atlanta, Edgartown, MA, and Sun City West, AZ. Tad and Debbi permanently returned to Manhattan in 2017.
Beyond working across the U.S., his career was highlighted by constant global travels, including repeated work involving produce industry export development in Mexico, Central and South America, and production and exports from Africa, Europe, Israel, Afghanistan and China.
Photography was always a major part of Thompson's professional work and became a volunteer avocation when he returned to Manhattan, as he shot photos for Manhattan Rotary Club, Manhattan Catbackers, KSNT weather, and anyone passing on the street.
The two pillars of Thompson's life were rooted in Tuttle Creek Lake and Kansas State. His Germann grandparents bought their homestead in the Blue River Valley five miles north of Manhattan in 1919. They chose this site because it would eventually be convenient for their children to attend what was then named Kansas State Agricultural College. It happened this ranch site - in the fertile Blue River Valley and the towering, rich Flint Hills above in the 1940s became the first farm located upstream of the U.S. Corps of Engineers' proposed flood control project, Tuttle Creek Dam.
Despite many years of political fighting, the Germanns and their valley neighbors were displaced in 1957. The valley was flooded. In 1959 Paul and Rosalie built a home in their new Terra Heights subdivision. And Rosalie spent the next 35 years developing much of the southwest shores of the lake.
For young Tad the new lake became a summertime dream as sailing and water skiing were key hobbies. In 1969 he had the chance to join a high school rowing program with the K-State crew, which he enjoyed until graduating from K-State.
Also, at K-State, Thompson was a sportswriter and savored the university experience. Thompson notes, "I was a Wildcat for 35 years before I was born. My parents bought season football tickets in the new stadium in 1968 and determinedly attended through thick and thin. The last game that Mom was able to attend was beating number one Oklahoma a few years ago. I finally had to give up on season tickets for the 2024 season. It was a great run. I will truly always be a Wildcat." He continued sailing with his family along the Atlantic Coast, which brought countless exciting, memorable experiences.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Saturday April 20, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church, 801 Leavenworth in Manhattan.
A Celebration of Life Service will follow the visitation at 10:30 a.m. Saturday April 20 at the church. Private inurnment will be held at a later date.
The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Tad to the Manhattan Catbackers or the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice House Inc. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.