Richard Lee Thompson passed away on the morning of Friday, January 4, 2008, at his home in Bozeman. He was 51.

Rick was born in 1956 in Charlottesville, Virginia, to Charles and Jean Thompson. He graduated from Albemarle High School in 1974. Following his graduation, he became a local carpenter, a trade he would master later in life.

On June 25, 1978, he married the love of his life Susan Johnson. Two years later, they started a family with the birth of their only child, Melanie Anne Thompson, on December 11, 1980.

In 1991, they decided to leave Virginia and give Montana a try. They moved to Bozeman. A year later, Rick became a building contractor, where in the next 15 years he built a lot of homes and of a caliber that was all his own.

Rick loved to be outdoors at his favorite fishing hole, on a hiking trail or in a tree stand, looking to bag his next trophy buck. He loved Alaska and Hawaii.

Rick was preceded in death by his grandfather, Benson Ragland; his grandmother, Florence Ragland; and various uncles, as well as Ben, the beloved family dog.

Rick is survived by his wife, Susan; children, Melanie Wild and Brandon; parents, Jean and Ed Burton; siblings, Teresa Harris and Mark; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews across the country.

A cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2007, at Dokken Nelson Funeral Home. A reception will follow at the Gallatin Gateway Community Center.

Name submitted by Tim Fredrikson, Class Agent.

Obituary submitted by Sam Clarke.