Willard Arthur "Tom" Thompson III of Springfield passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2018. He was born on June 17, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to Jane Kathleen Kirk (nee) Thompson and Willard A. "Woody" Thompson, who passed away when Tom was 5 years old. Two years later Tom's mother married E. Louis Klick, blending their families.

In 1956, the family moved to Springfield, Missouri so his stepfather could oversee the family business, Tobin Hamilton Shoe Factory in Mansfield. Tom attended junior high and spent three years at Parkview High School where he met his future bride Joan Liebman. The family then returned back home to St. Louis where Tom graduated from Ladue High.

Tom was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity at the University of Missouri-Columbia. After marrying Joan, Tom graduated from Drury University with a degree in Economics and a minor in Business.

Post graduation, Tom began his career in management with Boyd's Clothing Store in St. Louis. He later accepted a position in Kansas City with Arthur Fels, one of Joan's family member's real estate firms. Subsequently moving back to Springfield, Tom joined his father in-law Joseph B. Liebman, and uncle in-law Jerome Lasker, at Barth's Clothing Store. While working at Barth's, Tom and lifetime friend Ron Stenger opened and operated a night club, Phase III. This experience laid the groundwork for Tom's entrepreneurial endeavors.

In 1973, Tom decided to go out on his own becoming a franchisee of The Swiss Colony in the Battlefield Mall. He added Morrow's Nut House several years later.

Looking for other opportunities and consulting with friends in the retail business throughout the nation, Tom came to the conclusion that malls were in need of gourmet kitchen stores. Tom created the concept of Kitchen Express, which he took to multiple states, leading his son and son-in-law in the endeavor.

Being able to recognize trends, Tom approached Panera Bread Company and became one of their first franchisees, developing and operating territories in Kentucky and the Tampa St. Pete area. Several years later, that entrepreneurial spirit came into play once again, prompting Tom to purchase property and open Starlight Frozen Custard in Louisville, Kentucky.

Although his career was his hobby, his favorite passion was his family and friends. He received great pleasure from being a practical joker, and all who knew him well enjoyed his quick dry wit.

Tom was a member of Hickory Hills Country Club for 48 years. He served on the board of the of the International Housewares Association based in Chicago, Illinois. He was an original investor in The Bank of Springfield.  As a young man he was a member of Abou Ben Adhem Shrine. Tom enjoyed playing tennis and the occasional casual golf game with his father, father in-law, son, and grandsons.

Tom is preceded in death by his father Willard A "Woody" Thompson, mother Jane Kathleen Kirk (nee) Thompson Klick, stepfather E. Louis Klick, and in-laws Joseph B. and Helene Liebman.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Joan Liebman Thompson, daughter Lori (Joe) Kaczmarek (Springfield), son Kirk Thompson (Louisville, KY), grandchildren Kirk Kaczmarek, Tate Kaczmarek, and Nikki Thompson. He adored his grand dogs Cho-Po Kaczmarek and Lily and Daisy Thompson. His sisters Susan Thompson Temple (St. Louis), Patricia Swanson (Chicago), Kristy Klick (St. Louis), nephew Ivan Clatanoff (Chicago), niece Robin (Craig) Caringer (St. Louis), niece Debra (Tom) Dirmyer (Houston), nephews Joshua Berry (St. Louis) and Timothy Berry (St. Louis). His cousins Kent Thompson (Princeton, IL), Rick Thompson (Princeton, IL), Todd Thompson (Lawrence, KS), Pat (Kirk) Smith(St. Louis), Robin (Kirk) Ruhl (St Louis), Sally (Kirk) Dowling (St. Louis), Tony Kirk (St. Louis), Kelly (Kirk) Rolf (Portland, OR) and their families. Brother in-law AL Skip Liebman (Springfield) and his children Ashley Liebman (Springfield), and Trent Liebman (Sunnyvale, Ca). Cousins in-law Terri Lasker Murray (Springfield), Dena Lasker Hildebrand (Kansas City), Carol Fels Trenton (Kansas City), and their families.

The funeral will be held at Kingsway United Methodist Church on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 12:00 pm with a visitation immediately following. There will be a family burial.

Memorials may be given to The Dystonia Research Foundation Campus Box 8111 660 S. Euclid Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 or to the charity of donor's choice.