Dr. Richard A. Thompson, 81, died on June 2 after many years of failing health.

He was born on Oct. 25, 1927, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to James and Edna Thompson. He was the third of four children.

Thompson graduated from high school in Grandview, Wash. He entered college in Ellensburg, Wash., before enlisting in the United States Army in December 1945. He served in Korea and was honorably discharged in May 1947. After returning home he attended Pacific University in Forest Grove and graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree in 1952.

He met the love of his life during the summer of 1948 while working in Seattle, Wash., and he and Laberta were married in June 1951.

Thompson started his career practicing optometry in Payette, Idaho, in 1952. In 1954, they moved to Burns when he purchased Dr. John Easley’s optometric practice. For the next 40 years he provided eye care to the residents of Harney County. He retired in 1994.

Thompson was a member of the Kiwanis Club for 30 years, the Elks Lodge, The Masonic Lodge, the Shriners, Scottish Rite and Order of Eastern Star. Youth of the community were also important to him and he served on Burns and Hines school boards and was a big supporter of the Rainbow Girls and the Girl Scouts. He tried to make certain that everyone who needed eye care received it, by supporting the Elks and Lions vision programs.

Thompson enjoyed living in Harney County. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed sharing it with family and friends. He liked to hunt, fish, camp and go rock hounding. He also enjoyed traveling and showing his children the country. After his retirement he and his wife continued to be adventurous and traveled to Alaska for a summer in their trailer.

Thompson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Laberta; children, Mary Raines and husband, Dwane of Woodburn, Nancy Stangel and husband, Dick of Enterprise, Pat Thompson and wife, Heidi of Sisters, and Mike Thompson of Vancouver, Wash.; eight grandchildren; brother, Fred Thompson of Renton, Wash.; and 11 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Thompson; and an infant son, David.

Masonic services for Thompson were held on June 5. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Harney County Hospice, the Shriner’s Hospital, or a charity of one’s choice, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.