Stanley 'Stan' Thompson, prominent business leader

Stanley “Stan” L. Thompson, 87, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Monday, June 15, 2015. He was the son of the late St. Clair and Lou Emma Thompson, born July 4, 1927, and raised on the family farm in Farmington.

Stan attended Farmington Grade School, Greenwood High School and graduated from the University of Delaware '49 with a degree in agriculture business. He became owner of Nassau Feed and Grain and Edgehill Drugs in the mid-1950s, promoting each company’s growth for many years to come. He was a local business leader, active in real estate development, banking, aviation and a past Beebe Hospital board member. In later years, he became a constant gardener, walking enthusiast and an avid reader, but most of all he loved spending time with his family. Stan’s family will miss him dearly!

Stan will always be remembered for his vision, work ethic, sense of humor, and the honest and fair manner he related to all people during his life.

Joe Hudson, a friend and business partner of more than 50 years, said he and Stanley developed at least 24 communities together in Sussex County. "The largest was probably Overbrook Shores on Red Mill Pond.  We also did Covey Creek together, on Savannah Road outside Lewes, and some others along the coast south of Indian River Inlet, and inland," said Hudson. "Stan was a smart businessman, always fair-minded, a great partner to work with and an all-around great guy. He was a hands-on worker too.  He'd be out there laying out lots, and in later years you would often see him on a mowing tractor.  He liked to work."

Hudson said he and Stan met when Stan owned the Southern States operation at Nassau.  "I was a fairly large farmer and Stan was a fairly large supplier.  I bought all of our seed and fertilizer from him and we sold most of our crops through him."

Joe also remembered working with Stanley when both served on the board of directors for Beebe Hospital.  "Stan helped the hospital get through some tough times.  He was in there with Gene Bookhammer and Norman Baylis and so many more. Together they did a lot of good for the hospital and the community."

In addition to his parents, Stan was preceded in death by his sister, Beatrice Melhunek and his grandson, Brent Thompson. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Bettye D. Thompson of Rehoboth Beach; three children: Blake Thompson and his wife, Carol, of Rehoboth Beach; Eve T. Hughes and her husband, Tom, of Milton; and Blair Thompson and his wife, Timarie, of Rehoboth Beach; four grandchildren: Greer Thompson, Drew Zorzi and her husband Mike, Wade Thompson and his wife Danielle, and Chase Thompson (the “apple” of Stan’s eye), all of Rehoboth Beach; six great-grandchildren: Emma, Jaimin, Chazz, Bryn, Grove and Jade; and two sisters, Geneva Adams and Ruby Demarie, both of Dover.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 22, at 3:30 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 2 p.m. A private burial service for family members will be held later at Epworth Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958; or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Please visit Stan’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.