Charles William Thompson of Shawnee, Kansas, 85 passed away at St. Luke's South Hospital on February 26, 2024 surrounded by his wife and family. Charlie was born July 13, 1938 in Atilla, Kentucky to Ray and Mabel Thompson. He was one of four children, two sisters, Margie and Mary Alice and a brother Bobby. They resided on a family farm in Buffalo, Kentucky. It was at Buffalo Elementary School that he first met Carolyn. Over the years their friendship grew and they were married February 1, 1957. They then moved to Louisville, Kentucky and went on to have three children, Shary, Rhonda and Jeff.

Charlie started his transportation career at Middlewest Freightways Inc., a highway motor carrier in Louisville, KY. He began doing clerical and operations work at the terminal level before getting into sales where his success earned him a promotion and transfer to the Kansas City, Missouri terminal as Sales Manager. After a couple of years he was then promoted to Terminal Manager. During the next several years the company expanded and Charlie became Manager of their Western Region consisting of 21 terminals. He assumed the responsibilities of all operations and sales. He also took on additional responsibilities working with Government Regulatory bodies, Labor committee representatives and the Motor Carrier Association. In April 1992, he answered the call to join the Executive forces of Metro Park Warehouses as Director of Transportation where he later retired in 2010. 

Charlie never forgot where his roots started and continued to be an avid Kentucky Wildcat basketball fan. Some of his Kansas family and friends have attempted to convert him into a Jayhawker, but had no success. For many years he coached the youth in the Great American Basketball League helping many young people develop their basketball skills and become better players. On any given day you could also find him working in his yard. His yard was his passion.  But with all of his accomplishments, what he was most proud of was his family.

Charlie is survived by his wife Carolyn of 67 years, daughters Shary (Lee) Albertson of Shawnee, Rhonda (Jonas) Leuenberger of Topeka, and son Jeff Thompson of Overland Park, Grandchildren; Aaron, Derek, Krista, Kayla, Tyler, Shelby and 11 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father Ray Thompson, mother Mabel Thompson and younger brother Bobby Thompson.  

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia St., Lenexa, KS.  Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the Porter Funeral Home.  Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.