Clyde Thompson, 95, died Monday, February 8, 2021 in Liberty, Mo.
Born March 15, 1925, on a farm north of Coldwater, Kans., he was the son of Walter T. and Clara (Hase) Thompson.
Clyde had three brothers, his identical twin Clair, Wayne, and James, and two sisters, Anna Lou Einsel and Marjorie Overocker, all who preceded him in death.
Clyde’s survivors include his wife, Nancy Hardesty of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; and his four children from his first wife, Wilma Betzer Thompson, Randall Clyde Thompson and wife Kathy, Richard Clair Thompson and wife Amy, Rosemary Thompson and Ruthann (Thompson) Reese and husband Kurt; eight grandchildren, Amy Fairchild (Brian), Andrea Rand (Tom), Leah Kelly (Chris), Lindsay Flynn (Braedon), Allison Lewis (Justin), Ross Thompson (Candice), Ryan Thompson (Jennifer) and Lucy Thompson; and 17 great grandchildren. Clyde was also very close to his twin brother Clair’s children, Cindi, Deidre, Shari, Don and Scott, and became a second father to them when Clair passed away at age 89. Clyde was also a great influence on Nathan (April) and Daniel (Tracy) Hardesty, Nancy’s sons, and they loved and appreciated Clyde throughout the years.
Clyde’s early career followed his parents and siblings farming and ranching in the Coldwater area. Clyde attended school in Coldwater, graduating from Coldwater High School in 1943. He was a member of the Coldwater Country Club, Coldwater Masonic Lodge, and was a member of the Midian Shrine in Wichita, Kans. Clyde was also part owner/operator of a Chevrolet Dealership in Coldwater. While in Kansas, Clyde was an active supporter of the Democratic Party, supporting Governor Robert Docking and President John F. Kennedy. Because of his campaign support for President Kennedy, he received an invitation to Kennedy’s inauguration.
Deciding to go to the “Big City”, he became a barber and moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he worked at the Broadmoor Hotel, providing haircuts for celebrities such as Bob Hope, John Wayne, Walt Disney, Gene Kelly, Ricky Ricardo, and many more. He was also a bartender at the Broadmoor and enjoyed meeting people, making them smile and laugh.
Clyde moved to Excelsior Springs in 1985 to help his son, Richard, start the American Italian Pasta Company (AIPC). In the early years, Clyde worked very hard out in the community to establish good relationships between the town and AIPC. He also helped oversee the construction of the AIPC project on the west side of Excelsior Springs.
Clyde was loved by all at AIPC. It could have been his charm or it could have been because he passed out all the paychecks every Friday. He worked 7 days a week and loved his work dearly, so much so he didn’t retire until he was 86.
Clyde was involved with many charitable community organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, and was on the board of the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce.
He met his companion, best friend and wife of 6 years, Nancy Hardesty, in Excelsior. They spent nearly 36 years together enjoying BBQ at their favorite local hang out, the Wabash bar and restaurant, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, and many dear friendships. Clyde had his own Kansas City Chiefs jersey framed and mounted on the wall of the Wabash, and Clyde and Nancy’s Christmas stockings were front and center over the bar of the Wabash every year.
Clyde lived a long, wonderful life. He was loved by everyone who met him and you couldn’t walk down the street with him without someone stopping you and telling you how much they loved him. He will be dearly missed. He made contributions to the lives of family, friends, and charities. Clyde’s spirit and courage will continue to inspire forever. His life is a reminder that a good attitude and a few good friends, family and relatives make a person truly rich.
There will be a celebration in honor of Clyde when it is easier to have a toast to Clyde without masks being required!!
In lieu of gifts or flowers, please pay your love forward by giving a helping hand to someone in need as Clyde did so many times.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
I am so sorry for your loss! Clyde was one in a million – a friend to all and everyone that knew him loved him! I met him at AIPC and of course we took up an immediate friendship! He made my days working in Excelsior Springs fun as he always had a kind word or a funny story for everyone. If a person is ever able to have a friend like Clyde once or twice in their lifetime they’ve truly been blessed as I have for having Clyde as a friend! You will be missed my friend!
Judy (McClure) Thies
So sad to hear about Clyde’s passing. I really enjoyed working with Clyde and occasionally running into him and his son Richard @ Wabash.
What a wonderful life!
Very proud to say he was my friend.
Love and Prayers to the families.
Michael Farrow
Dang you Clyde. You were always so much fun to be around. You know you must have won so much from me over the years betting on the Super Bowl. Your one in a million. Just know you were loved by so many people. If you need anything Nancy just give me a shout. You’ll be missed sooo much. I’ll pour me a cold one and think of you every football year. God bless you and your family. Nothing but love and respect for you forever. Peace out.
David Mckown
To the Thompson family: Please accept the condolences of the Midian Shrine in Wichita on the passing of Clyde. He will certainly be missed by his family and his many friends.
Wayne Wells, Recorder
