Todd D. Thompson's Obituary
THOMPSON, Todd D., age 73, of Spring Valley, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus.
Todd graduated from Fairborn High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Southeastern Louisiana University. Todd took over the family business from his father, which started in 1956, and once employed over 100 employees during time in business. After Don Thompson Excavating closed, he continued as an entrepreneur with Thompson Excavating & Concrete and Thompson Boat & RV Storage, never officially retiring.
Growing up and living on a farm most of his life, Todd spent his life with an exceptional work ethic. Outgoing and somewhat eclectic, especially in his choice of music, he loved to make people laugh, and his laugh could be heard for miles. In fact, he used to carry around a little book of jokes that he wrote to entertain people when he felt they needed to laugh. He loved live music and attending blues festivals, with southern blues, jazz, and southern rock being some of his favorite genres. In his early years, he shared his father’s love of racing and raced stock cars under the name Guardrail 88. He mostly raced at the Dayton Speedway (last owned by his father), Kil-Kare Raceway in Xenia, and Edgewater Sports Park in Cincinnati. He also enjoyed golf and played in a league at Community Golf Course for several years. Travel was a passion, and he visited notable locations such as Columbia, Mexico, several Caribbean islands via cruise ship, Hawaii, and Europe. He loved attending construction expos and often visited cities based on shows. Via the Homebuilders Association, he spent a memorable week in Munich, Germany, followed by additional time in a car traveling through Austria, northern Italy, and back up through Switzerland. Visiting the South, however, specifically the city of New Orleans, was a favorite for Todd, influencing his choice of music, food, and travel preferences.
For several years, Todd rented a houseboat with friends on Dale Hollow Lake and spent weekends each year there. He also enjoyed the tradition of hosting pig roasts at the farm for family, friends, and business associates, complete with an elaborate Rozzi Fireworks test show. The event became one of his favorite traditions and something he looked forward to each year. In addition, he will be remembered for his Super Bowl parties, which he called the “Souper Bowl” because he made his famous New Orleans-style gumbo each year.
Among many things, Todd will be remembered for being extremely hardworking. Even when he wasn’t working, he was still working on a project or in his office. He had worked for 30+ years perfecting his home on Cornstalk Rd. and spent the last 15 years renovating the Don Thompson Excavating office into his new home, where he loved spending time with his family and friends, entertaining company on the porch, and digging his pond.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Patricia Thompson; one brother, Timothy (Timmy) Thompson; and one sister, Kathryn (Katie) Thompson. He is survived by his son, Aaron Thompson; daughter, Lauren Thompson (fiancé Justin Eavers); two grandchildren, Cole and Willow; step-grandson, Aiden; one brother, Monte Bruce Thompson (Robert Selke); and his former spouse and friend, Diane Thompson.
The family will receive friends 5 -8 PM Thursday, September 19, at Conner & Koch Funeral Home in Bellbrook, with funeral services held at 10 AM Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Spring Valley Cemetery immediately following. Condolences at www.connerandkoch.com.
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