Richard Harley Thompson Jr.
Richard Harley Thompson Jr., of Glasgow, Montana, entered heaven on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the age of 76. He courageously fought a two-year battle with Lymphoma and Leukemia. He was born October 17, 1949, in Minot, North Dakota to Richard Sr. and Myra (Potter) Thompson. The family lived in Minot, North Dakota; Regina, Canada; and Sidney, Montana. After school on his last day of first grade, the family moved to Fallon, Montana and settled there. He attended rural grade school in Fallon, later attending joint school in Terry, Montana, where he graduated high school in 1967.
While in high school, he was a school janitor and was proud to be the first senior class to use the new gymnasium. Following high school, he started college at Miles Community College. He graduated from Minot State in March 1972 and was a member of TKE Fraternity. He worked for the State of Montana as a social worker until 1978. He went on to graduate school, earning a master’s degree in special education. He worked in Hardin, Montana at Hardin Sheltered Workshop & Group Homes for 4+ years. Following a sabbatical, Rick moved to Darby, Montana, working as the director of HUD Projects, where he met Colleen in 1981.
He gained his first two children, Curtis ‘Tray’ and Keylee, when he married Colleen in 1982. Since that time, the home was filled with family, friends, and foster children. At last count, over 125 children were placed in the Thompson home. In 1993, his third child, Steven, joined the family. Rick treated all his children as his own. He was very proud to see his first grandson’s middle name was Richard, and another great-grandson shares a birthday and middle name. He could always be heard bragging about his kids, grand and great-grandkids to anyone who would listen.
Rick moved his family to Glasgow in 1983 to become the Director of Hi-Line Home Programs until retirement in 2015. During this time, he was on many organizational boards, including Ronald McDonald Charity of Montana, Intermountain Children’s Home, and Foundation for School of Deaf & Blind.
Family, education, and God were all very important to him. Since moving to Glasgow in 1983, Rick was always involved in the United Congregational Church, serving as a conference representative and mentor. He completed the lay ministry institute program and became the Lay Minister until the church closed. He was then appointed to be lay minister at the First United Methodist churches in Glasgow and Hinsdale, where he served until his health no longer allowed him to. He was involved in different church camp boards and groups throughout his life.
Rick enjoyed backpacking, camping, fly fishing, hiking, and even attempted to climb Mt Rainer. He liked bird hunting and raising a few litters of hunting dogs. He liked to go hunting with his brother-in-law, Mike and granddaughter, Addie. He took pleasure in working cows with his long-time friend, Leonard. He enjoyed remodeling things and going to auctions and yard sales to find the good finds. Other interests were his garden, cooking and baking Christmas treats, cards (especially pinochle) with his friends, photography, and traveling. Following retirement, he bought a Mini Cooper, taking trips with his brother-in-law, Dallas and son, Curtis. He took delight in what his family was involved in and enjoyed attending or following his kids and grandkids’ activities.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Myra, an infant brother, Michael, and sister Patricia, who was not just a big sister, but a lifelong friend; twin infant grandsons, Andrew and Daniel Canen, and one infant great-grandbaby, Shiloh Wenger.
He leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Colleen; son, Curtis ‘Tray’ Bunton of Darby; daughter, Keylee (Robert) Canen of Glendive, and son, Steven (Bethany) Thompson of Clarkston, Washington. His six grandchildren Aaron (Mara) Canen, Belgrade; Xander (Alandra) Canen, Terry; Addie (David) Wenger, Glendive; Alden Canen, Glendive; JD Thompson-Schlapman, and Verik Thompson, Clarkston, Washinton; seven great-grandchildren: Aayla, Abel, and Audrey Canen; Owen and Bronx Canen; RJ and Arielle Wenger. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and family.
Funeral services will be held in Glasgow on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.at the First United Methodist Church. Reception will follow at the Glasgow VFW. Burial will be held at the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry, Montana on March 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Online condolences may be left at bellmortuarymt.com.
Memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House, School for the Deaf and Blind, or American Cancer Society.
