John "Randy" Randolph Thompson

Dr. John Randolph “Randy” Thompson, D.C., 68, of West Branch, Michigan passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, November 1 at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, in the company of his loved ones.

Randy was born on August 2, 1947 in West Branch, Michigan to Howard and Jean (Lally) Thompson. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1965, where he was a gifted athlete that excelled in basketball and football. A few years after graduating, Randy was called to action and served his country proudly in Vietnam for nearly a year. Upon his return, he enrolled at Central Michigan University, and in 1972, Randy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1976 he furthered his studies by attaining a Masters in Education from Florida Atlantic University. But it wasn’t until 1983 that he found his true calling – to become a chiropractic physician – graduating Cum Laude from Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, GA. From here, Randy built a successful career as a chiropractor that began in Standish, Michigan and ended in Bay City, and spanned nearly 20 years. He loved helping to ease the pain of others, and he was beloved by his many patients.

On July 10, 1992, Randy married the love of his life, Kathy Wesolek Thompson. No one could make Randy laugh like Kathy, and the past 23 years were the happiest of his life. Randy and Kathy loved traveling the United States in their RV, making friends in every state, and ten years ago they decided to make Hilton Head, SC their winter home. Summer months were spent at their home on Clear Lake, just outside of West Branch, surrounded by friends and family.

Randy always loved the water and was an avid scuba diver and lobster fisherman in his younger years, when he resided in Florida. Later in life, he enjoyed spending his time above the waves, and one of his favorite things to do was take visitors out for a ‘toona’ ride on his beloved Clear Lake.

Randy loved to laugh and spend time with family and friends. He was an ardent sports fan (Go Blue!) as well as a zealous golfer, serving as a Ranger at The Nightmare golf course in West Branch. And, as all those who knew him would attest to, he liked to partake in the occasional chicken wing and Yuengling.

His friends and family will miss his infectious smile and the oftentimes mischievous twinkle in his eye, and his many signature sayings, such as “One more for the championship” and “God Bless America.” He was a good and kind man with a generous spirit and a beautiful soul, and as his friends will tell you, he never met a person he didn’t like. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law and friend, and those whose lives he touched will remember him always. He will live on forever in our hearts.

Visitation services will be held from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 8 and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, November 9, and the funeral service will take place on Monday, November 9 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. All services will be held at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Homes, 109 E Houghton Ave, West Branch, MI.

Randy is survived by his wife, Kathy Thompson, his son, Dustin Thompson, and his daughters, Heather Noll, Andrea Nixon, Mary Hanthorn, and Katie Kushba; his sons-in-law, Daniel Noll and Kirby Hanthorn; his daughter-in-law, Samantha LaBean; his grandchildren Maddox Thompson, Alice Nixon and Hudson Hanthorn; his brothers, Todd and Pat Thompson; and his sisters, Susan Conyer and Judy Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Jean Thompson, and his sister, Trudy Thompson.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Sunday, November 8, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Team Rubicon and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.