Lawrence “Keith” Thompson, 66, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, after a tremendous five-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Keith was born April 5th, 1959, to parents Lawrence “Buddy” and Marylyn Thompson. He was raised in Jacksonville, FL. He played football every chance he could and enjoyed camping trips to Silver Glen and the Florida Keys with his family. He was an avid swimmer, water-skier and boater. He loved being on, in or around the water. He especially loved Lake Santa Fe where he spent many hours barefoot skiing, boating and fishing. He also enjoyed years of deer hunting with his family and friends at their hunting club in Georgia.
Keith was a graduate of Bishop Kenny Catholic High School class of ‘77. A lifelong Florida Gators fan, he continued his education at the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1981 and his Master of Engineering in 1983. Some of his fondest memories were made while attending UF. He loved going to football games and cheering on the Gators. During his time in school, he met some of his lifelong best friends/brothers. It was through these friends that led to meeting the love of his life, MaryLynn.
In 1985 he and MaryLynn married. They lived in Melbourne, FL where he worked for Harris Corporation. Later they moved to Huntsville, AL and he went on to work for SDI for many years. He finished his career at Intrepid. Keith was “Mr. Fix-it”. Regardless of the project, he had the right tools and the knowledge to get the task done. He was even the co-inventor of the Remote Round Up.
He was active in his church, All Saints Lutheran, for many years. He led Youth Group, served in the kitchen ministry, and a variety of positions on church council. Keith coached his children’s sports teams and attended many band concerts and competitions in support of their interests. He also participated in Boy Scouts with Logan and Indian Princesses with Kasey, where he was affectionately known as “Crawls in Swamp”. In his final years he spent his time hiking, walking his blonde lab, Luna, and playing pickleball with friends. He volunteered to feed the needy through St. Mark’s Kitchen Ministry and enjoyed helping his children with projects in their first homes. He was also a beloved “Pop” to Whitney and Bryan.
He will be remembered for his quick wit, his generosity, and his desire to make everyone laugh.
Keith is survived by his parents, Lawrence “Buddy” and Marylyn Thompson; his wife of 40 years, MaryLynn; his son, Logan; daughter, Kasey Webb (Jonathon); his grandchildren, Whitney and Bryan; sisters, Loyce and Joyce Thompson; and niece, Lori Fugatt.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 10 a.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to one of the following organizations as they had a direct impact on Keith’s life:
– Hospice Family Care/Inpatient Facility
– Pancreatic Cancer Action Network “PanCAN”
– St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Kitchen Ministry
