Curtis “Doc” Thompson, long time Springfield Barber, passed away Tuesday, June 3,. 2008 at the age of 96.

He was born April 24, 1912 in River, Kentucky the son of Zeal and Mary (Brown) Thompson.

He left Kentucky as a young man looking for a new life and success knowing he wanted a better life than working in the coal mines. His humor and genuine love of life served him well as he led a very healthy and happy life. Affectionately referred to as the unofficial “Mayor of Lagonda” by neighboring businesses and area residents, Doc Thompson became a resident of Springfield in 1928. He was an apprentice at Morrey’s Barber College in downtown Springfield prior to establishing Thompson’s Barber Shop in the early 1930’s. At the age of 30, he was drafted into the 499th Army Air Forces in March, 1942 (just four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor) to serve his country during WW II. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and served as a Barber and a Surgical Tech. He married Marjorie Jean Davis in 1944 while on leave in West Baton Rouge, LA. He returned to Springfield, Ohio after the war and re-established Thompson’s Barbershop at the corner of Lagonda Avenue and James Street. His shop was just outside the gates of the Ohio Steel Foundry and within walking distance of the Lagonda Avenue International Harvester Plant. He continued to serve the faithful barbershop customers until 2006.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, two brothers Beacher and Clyde Thompson, and a sister Lula Mae Thompson.

Survivors include two half sisters; Irene Castle, Paintsville, Kentucky and Margie Rowland, Bluefield, West Virginia, his wife of 64 years Marjorie Jean Thompson, daughter and son in law Rebecca Thompson and Stephen Kapp and grandchildren Amanda Michelle and Matthew Curtis Kapp.

Doc attended the Lagonda United Methodist Church and Maiden Lane Church of God. He will be greatly missed by his friends, family and the many generations of customers... many who got their first haircut from Doc.

A memorial celebration of his life will take place in the Chapel at Maiden Lane Church of God on Friday, June 6 beginning at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any contributions be made to the Heartland Home Healthcare and Hospice.

Arrangements are being handled by the JONES-KENNEY-ZECHMAN FUNERAL HOME.