Eugene V. Thompson

Eugene V. Thompson 93 of Indianapolis, formerly of Danville passed this life Monday, March 11, 2019 at his residence surrounded with his Wife, Loretta, daughter Rhonda Brown and beloved dog Manning at his side. He is the son of Henry and Lorene Gillet Thompson.

Eugene "Radio" Thompson, one of Danville's first black aldermen, as a community activist who helped pave the way for minority representation in city government, worked to improve the older neighborhoods and the lives of their residents and remained a government watchdog well into his 80s.

And if ever a person lived up to his nickname, they recalled fondly, it was Radio.

A World War II and Korean War veteran, Mr. Thompson was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. He was the first recipient of the Illinois Humanities Council's Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from Danville, and recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award.

Mr. Thompson raised eight children and stepchildren, worked at General Motors for 35 years, retiring in 1975 as a parts inspector.

He is survived by his wife Loretta Perkins-Thompson, children; Anthony R. (Connie) Thompson, Rhonda L. (Emanuel) Brown, Nicholas E. Thompson and Gregory V. Thompson. Step-Children; Kim Triplett, Denise Mockabee, Carmen Gray, Kelli Kindle and a host of grandchildren, Great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Eugene was preceded by his parents, a step-son Darrell Dwayne Lewis, one sister, Hallie Thompson Hardy Lewis, three brothers; Henry (Hank) Thompson, William (Bill) Thompson and Robert (Bob) Thompson, former wives: Willie Maxine (Thompson) Lollis, Lugenia Triplett Thompson, Alpha Mae Johnson Thompson.

A Celebration of life will commence at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at the V. A. Chapel, 1900 E. Main St. Danville. Visitation will be from 1-6 p.m. with the family present from 4-6 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2019 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home. Internment will be at 12:00 noon Tuesday at Danville National Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to www.leekandsonsfuneralhome.com

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