Carlyle Aron Thompson, Manhattan, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at the age of 88. Carlyle (aka Carly to family and friends) was born on June 26, 1936, to Marvin and Ora Thompson in Kansas City, KS. He was raised in Shawnee, Kansas and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School. He participated in FFA and served as president his senior year. He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Soil Science and Plant Analysis from Kansas State University in 1959. At KSU, Carlyle met his wife, Sandra Jo Burge, and they married on June 7, 1959. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
After living in Lincoln, NE and Lawton, OK, Carlyle and Sandra settled in Hays, KS in 1963 where he worked for the KSU Agricultural Research Center for 40 years. He performed many studies on crops, soil analysis, tillage systems, and crop rotations on plots. He developed narrow row planting for sorghum and worked with many farmers. He had a great love of planting vegetable gardens as well as judging crops and vegetables at county fairs and the Kansas State Fair.
Carlyle had a love of music that he inherited from his mother. Ora would play the piano or organ and he would sing. He continued singing throughout his life embracing the joy it would bring. He passed down his love of music to his children and encouraged them as they grew.
After his retirement, Carlyle and Sandra moved to Lenexa, Kansas. He saw a need to start a food pantry at the West Lenexa Seventh-Day Adventist Church and worked tirelessly planning and gathering food to provide for those in need. After they moved to Manhattan, he volunteered at the Senior Center for several years, again, helping people through their Friendship Meals Program.
Carlyle’s faith in God was the most important part of his life. He taught Sunday School at the First United Methodist Church in Hays for many years. He was an elder in the West Lenexa Seventh-Day Adventist Church and later the Manhattan Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he enjoyed singing, preaching, and fellowship with the congregants.
Carlyle leaves behind his wife, Sandra and their children, Curt (Glenda) of Hutchinson, KS, Lee Anne of Lawrence, KS, Chris of Springfield, MO, Kent (Andrea) of Plano, TX and Rebecca (Tad) of Manhattan, KS. He is also survived by his aunt, Lois Flinn; sister-in law, Ann Ware; his five grandchildren, (Kyle, Laura, Ella, Emery, and Evie); two great grandchildren (Nora and Molly) and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Castle Thompson; and his sister-in-law Joanne Thompson.
Visitation is planned for Monday, September 23, 2024, at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, Manhattan, KS, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. His funeral will also be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 24, at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Flint Hills Breadbasket, 905 Yuma, Manhattan, KS 66502.