Richard Alan Thompson

Richard A Thompson, known as Rick Thompson and to some Rick T was born on August 24, 1951, to Wanda Cossey-Thompson and Len Thompson at Tehachapi, California. Rick grew up, and attended school in Bakersfield, CA. Rick moved to Visalia in 1985. Rick is survived by his wife of 30 years Jerri Thompson, his sister Teri Thompson-Hall, 5 children, Brandi, Rick, Tim, Cindy, and Michael, and 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Rick and Jerri Lady-Thompson started dating in June of 1993 and were married on July 9, 1994. They shared the same interests such as the love for recovery and helping others, professional growth, personal growth, family, music, travel, and most importantly the love they had for each other. He called her Babydoll. He tried to explain who he was through music sharing the song 'Simple Man" and told her he loved her with the song "Blue Sky". He was a romantic loving man who will always be in Jerri's heart. They had a great life together traveling, making new friends, enjoying music, and family. After a long battle with addiction, he entered treatment for the last time on November 16 1986. It was through recovery that he met Dave Lady and the rest of the Lady family and eventually moved into the Lady home. He became "The guy behind the couch He has been in long term recovery since that time for a total of 37 years. Rick has been active in 12-step recovery through, service, sponsorship, and most notably his involvement with the NA Bluesfest for over 25 years. It was a great joy for him to see people learn and enjoy the blues and find recovery through the love of music. Rick became an alcohol and drug counselor at Pine Recovery in 1987 and went on to work with youth at Turning Point. In 1999 Rick and Jerri started an outpatient treatment program, Recovery Resources, that continued until 2023 counseling adults and youth in Tulare County. Rick was known in the county as the leading adolescent counselor and was highly respected. It was a passion of his to attempt to right the wrongs of his past by helping others. Rick passed away peacefully at home in Visalia, CA with his wife holding his hand, on July 13, 2024. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 at Tulare Community Church, 1820 North Gem St., Tulare. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Richard Alan Thompson

August 24, 1951 - July 13, 2024