(Formerly Of Delta)
Kay E. Thompson, age 85, formerly of Delta, peacefully passed at Life Care in Hixson, Tennessee on November 13, 2024.
She was well loved by the staff and many indicated they too will miss her, as will anyone who had the privilege of calling her family or friend.
Kay was born to Marian Thompson Segrist and Robert Milton Thompson on June 1, 1939. She was the youngest of three children and is survived by her older sister Patricia Thompson Whitmer. Her brother Bob preceded her in death.
Growing up on her parents’ dairy farm was a rich environment for a gal who enjoyed how things worked. Her preference was to be outside, often by her father as he worked the property. She graduated from Delta High School in 1957 and attended Capital University.
While at Capital she was on their collegiate volleyball team, made many lifetime friends and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. For several years she taught in Sandusky, where she met her good friend Joan Hespe, also a teacher.
Young and filled with adventure they went west to Colorado and taught for six years in Colorado Springs. They then returned to Ohio and taught in the Parma School System for over three decades. Kay was a first-grade teacher and enjoyed the challenge of helping students learn to read… a family passion.
While teaching in Parma she obtained her master’s degree in education from Kent State University. She collected many teaching colleagues as friends along the way, who were equally concerned about empowering children to learn. Parma South Presbyterian was her church family.
Kay was an avid sports fan and her teams, Ohio State Buckeyes, The Cleveland Cavaliers and The Cleveland Guardians/Indians were in her mind, tops. She worked to inspire younger family members to become fans and made sure that attending the professional games was possible. Kay loved people – her many friends included her neighbors.
With a great sense of humor, she inspired camaraderie. Kay is also survived by her sister’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elizabeth Whitmer Avery, Fred Avery, Ryan Avery, Christopher Avery and Rachel Burton Avery. Karen Sutton Whitmer, Milton Whitmer, Rachael Whitmer Martin, Jimmy Martin, Grace Martin and Maggie Martin. Rebekah Whitmer Kostreva, Dan Kostreva, Caleb Kostreva, Micah Kostreva, Noah Kostreva, Eli Kostreva and Ben Kostreva. Beatrice Whitmer Wilson Clement, Marty Clements, Lindsay Wilson Nelson, Brennan Nelson, Emily Wilson Chapman, Keith Chapman, Jaden Chapman, Isaac Chapman, and Grant Chapman. Heike Gutwein Wilson, Zach Wilson, Rachell Wilson, Brandon Wilson, Kaiteny Wilson and Brady Wilson. Chris Whitmer Moellenhoff, Brian Moellenhoff, Ashley Moellenhoff, and Caleb Moellenhoff. Frank Whitmer, Lori Whitmer, Andrea Whitmer Stevens, Tony Stevens, Abbey Stevens and Daniel Stevens. Megan Whitmer Vigil, Rigoberto Vigil, and Isabella Vigil. Makenzie Whitmer Mardirosian, John Mardirosian, Samantha Mardirosian and Cecelia Mardirosian.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Kay’s honor to an organization of one’s choosing. A visitation for Kay will be held at Barnes Funeral Chapel and Crematory on Friday, November 22, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, with a graveside service following at Greenlawn Cemetery in Delta beginning at 12:00 Noon.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.