Col. Robert Martin Thompson

Col. Robert Martin "Bob" Thompson, age 87, of Lawrenceburg, husband of 66 years to Volita Cox Thompson, died Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Heritage Hall Healthcare.

Col. Bob was born in Salvisa, KY to the late B.R. and Viola Etherington Thompson. He was a 1948 graduate of Kavanaugh High School and attended college at UK. Bob was a member at Claylick United Methodist Church; served in the US Navy on the USS Wright during the Korean War; was a member on the Hebron cemetery board; member of the American Legion #34; Anderson County Cattleman's Association; the Oleika Shrine Temple; Gideon's; and the St. Johns Masonic Lodge #125. Bob retired from IBM in 1991 after working as a programmer for 20+ years to start working for KFC and Edelman Productions as a Col. Sanders look-alike. He also enjoyed farming and attending the Chicken Festival in Kentucky. Mr. Thompson was the Mayor of Lawrenceburg from 1994-1998 making him the only mayor in Lawrenceburg to serve a five-year term; served as City Treasurer; and was on the City Council. The Senior Citizen Center in Lawrenceburg has also been dedicated in Bob's name.

Along with his wife he is survived by three daughters, Debra Charlene (Arthur) Cunningham, of Frankfort, Vickie Sue (David) Brooks, Bradley, S.C., and Ruth Ann (J) Hamon, of Frankfort; two sisters, Nina Poulter and Juanita (Orbrey Jr.) Gritton, both of Lawrenceburg; three grandchildren, Chadwick (Shawntay) Cunningham, Kristina (Andrew) Wooldridge, and Carrie Elaine Hamon; great-grandchildren, Cayden and Parker Cunningham and Hope Malmer.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 9, 2017 at Claylick United Methodist Church with Bro. Shannon Blosser officiating. Burial will follow in Lawrenceburg Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday at Gash Memorial Chapel and from 10-12:30 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. A Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night.

Casketbearers will be Orbrey Gritton III, Arthur Cunningham, Chadwick Cunningham, David Brooks, J Hamon, and Andrew Wooldridge.  Honorary bearers will be the VFW #4075 in Frankfort.