Rev. Nelson Lavert (Fuzzy) Thompson, 70, a Great Plains Annual Conference clergy member died Jan. 11, 2015. Visitations will be Friday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., at Thatcher’s Funeral Home, in Kansas City, Kansas, and Saturday, Jan. 17, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at St. James UMC, 5540 Wayne Avenue, Kansas City, MO. The funeral service will immediately follow Saturday's visitation at 1 p.m. Burial will be Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m., at Highland Park Cemetery, in Kansas City, Kansas. Thompson is survived by his wife, Cheryl Thompson. In lieu of flowers memorial are designated to St. Mark Child and Family Development Center or Friends of Yates.
Between 1968 and 1971, Thompson taught general science, physical education and biology at Central High School. Thompson became an ordained deacon in the United Methodist church in 1972. He later was named executive director of the Martin Luther King Urban Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and served in that capacity for 30 years. His whole life was committed to the civil rights movement and he gave great leadership toward that cause. Thompson dedicated his life to dismantling the barriers of racism, inequality and discrimination. For decades, Thompson was president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City and was the leading force behind the annual citywide celebration commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Thompson and fellow organizers said the Kansas City celebration was the largest and most attended in the nation. Thompson was involved in numerous civil rights battles on the local, national and international level. Friends and fellow clergy said Thompson was a fearless leader who unflinchingly served his community. He spread his big smile, his warm heart, and the message of the Gospel everywhere he went. He was the very best kind of community leader. | ||||||||
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