Leonard Lee Thompson

LEONARD LEE THOMPSON, 81, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2017. Leonard was born in Little Rock, Ark., on Jan. 13, 1936 to Charles and Francis Thompson. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, where he was president of the Xi chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity. In 1962 he went to work for APT Construction, the company he eventually bought in 1970. He was a revered businessman, respected for his integrity & knowledge. He retired as general manager of the Cranford Construction Division of McGeorge Contracting Company in 2014. He loved every minute of his 52 year career in the asphalt industry. His determination and courage was evident in his recovery from a near fatal accident in 1974 when he lost his left leg. Undaunted, he learned to walk on a prosthetic limb and continued to live life to the fullest, never once being defined or limited by his handicap. He loved tennis, flying his airplane, sailing, fishing and cruising Lake Hamilton in his boat with family and friends. He was always ready to share a laugh and a joke. He shared his joy and love of life with everyone he met. He will be missed by his wife of 28 years, Joyce Adams Thompson; his sons, Leonard Thompson (Wendy) of Little Rock, Ark., and Harry B. Thompson of Blue Ridge, Ga; his daughter, Miriam Lyde Thompson (Terry Goddard) of San Antonio, Texas; five stepchildren: Laurie Nipp (Kurt) of Pleasanton, Calif., Melissa Weisser (Steve) of North Liberty, Ind., Stephanie Kiesler (Ken) of Palatine, Ill., Arthur Ranney III of Conway, S.C., and Bruce Ranney of Chicago, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; and brother, Charles Thompson (Lou) of McAllen, Texas. Donations may be made in his name to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72210. Services will be held at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501) 224-8300 on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 10 a.m. and procession to Roselawn Memorial Park. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.