Kenneth Walter Thompson

Kenneth Walter Thompson, 85, of Bethesda, Maryland died on February 14, 2026. He was happily married to Diana DeFranceschi Thompson for 59 years this coming March.

Born October 21, 1940, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Ken was the son of the late Everett Walter Thompson and the late Doris Torrence Thompson and the brother of the late Linda Hale.

In addition to his wife, Ken is survived by his three children: Tara Renaghan and her husband, Padraic, of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Maria Farnham and her husband, Will, of LaPlata, Maryland; and Todd Thompson of Dayton, Ohio; and his seven beloved grandchildren: Hayden, Quinn, and Megan Renaghan; Emily, Angela, and Jason Farnham; and Evan Thompson.

Ken was an accomplished athlete at E.C. Glass High School where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He was a member of the 1958-1959 state champion basketball team. He carried his football talents to the next level playing at Duke University where he was a member of the 1961 Cotton Bowl championship team.

After graduating college, Ken served in the Central Intelligence Agency and worked for a Member of Congress. Later, after earning a master’s degree, he was a vice president of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America followed by being elected as a vice president of Primark Corporation and its principal subsidiary, Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. Ken founded Thompson and Naughton Company in 1988 and served as its president until retiring in 2008.

Outside of work, he coached youth football and basketball and volunteered at several organizations including EveryMind in the representative payee program. When he wasn’t taking long walks or going on rides with his bike club, Ken loved playing bridge or taking weekend trips with Diana, baking, and working in the yard or on his computer. However, his favorite activity by far was anything having to do with his grandchildren. He attended countless concerts, plays, sporting events, and birthday parties and was always up to babysit when needed.

A celebration of life will be held at the New Concord Presbyterian Church in Concord, VA on February 28, 2026, at 11am. In addition, there will be an event held in Bethesda, MD at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider contributing either to EveryMind (https://www.everymind.org/donate/) or to the National Park Service (https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/donate.htm) as Ken loved to visit parks across the country with his family.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.