Chris Ray Thompson left this world and moved to a better place on February 20, 2022.

A Springfield native all his life, Chris was born to Val Gene Thompson, a fireman, and Ardith Sneed Thompson, a teacher, on March 7, 1960.

Chris attended grade school at Phelps Elementary. He made his presence known in his neighborhood by running errands for elderly widows and older couples who lived there.  Later he would mow many of their lawns without pay.

After initially protesting the birth of a girl rather than a brother he could play with, Chris happily accepted and liked to help with his sister Doris. The Thompson’s family life was typical and happy till tragedy struck and Chris’ father was killed in a fiery truck accident when Chris was in Junior High.

Overnight, Chris had to become an adult helping his mother and sister while solving his own problems.

In 1978 he graduated from Parkview High School where he participated in agriculture related activities. Following this he attended MSU, graduating with a degree in agriculture.

Before his death Chris’ father had purchased a farm, and with his uncle’s help, Chris had managed to keep the farm going and after college intended to run it on his own. But despite this work, there was a much stronger pull on Chris’ life.  His father and uncle had been well respected firemen and Chris made the decision to make this his true path in life.

He first served as 911 dispatcher for the fire department for three years, then he qualified for the fire department in 1990. During his 24 years of service, he won the Distinguished Unit Award in 2008 and he made three life saves. Chris won Fireman of the Year in 2001, one of the proudest days of his life. He worked diligently on the Fire Pension Board for years and developed many life-long friendships. The fire department was always his first loyalty.

Continuing to live with his mother who was by this time nearly an invalid, Chris was dealt another blow when she died in 2005 and he was on his own.

Besides the fire department, Chris spent his retirement years acquiring and overseeing his various properties. The development of severe diabetes and its many accompanying health problems, took a huge toll on his final years, but he continued to be very active.

Two coma episodes ended his life at Quail Creek far too soon at 61 years.

Besides his father and mother, Chris was preceded in death by his beloved Sneed grandparents, who he spent many happy hours with. Also preceding him was his aunt and uncle Sharon and Paul Fleming as well as his Uncle Billy. A freak accident ended the life of his cousin and life-long buddy, Gerald Fleming.

Chris is survived by his sister Doris Wright and her husband Shawn Swier, his nephew and niece, Landon Val and Olivia (Lexi) Wright plus his first and lifetime baby-sitters, his uncle and aunt, Ward and Nancy Sneed.  Also surviving are Gerald’s wife Susan and their two sons, Josh and Joel.

Uppermost would be Chris’ second family, most dear to him, the Springfield Fire Department, especially his devoted fire buddy Ken Scott.

Chris will be honored with a service at Greenlawn North on Monday, February 28^th.  Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. with service to follow. Burial will be at Blue Eye Cemetery.

The family requests donations to Chris’ favorite charity, St Jude Children’s Hospital, rather than flowers to honor him.

The family also extends a special thanks to Chris’ brothers in the Springfield Fire Department.