Funeral services for Eric R. Thompson, 66, of Fort Thompson, SD will be 10:00 am Thursday, June 30, 2022 at the Fort Thompson Community Center in Fort Thompson SD.   Wake services will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Fort Thompson Community Center in Fort Thompson.

Anyone wishing to follow, the procession will leave from funeral home on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.

Eric Richard Thompson was born on April 2, 1956 to Annie A. (Williams) Thompson and LeRoy L. Thompson Sr. in Chamberlain, SD.

Rick lived all of his life in Fort Thompson on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation except during his military service. he went to elementary school in Fort Thompson and high school Crow Creek High School in Stephan.  In 1973, Rick enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was Honorably Discharged in 1975.  It was during this time that he obtained his GED.

He worked for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and Crow Creek Housing Authority in several capacities over the years.  He was employed by the Tribe as the HIP Director and BIA Roads Transportation Director.  After obtaining his CDL he went to work with the Housing Authority for several years driving for the solid waste dept.

Rick was an avid fisherman and accomplished swimmer.  He would spend many joyful hours hanging out with his brothers, nephews, and friends at the "Wall" catching fish with a pole or long handle net.  Sometimes he would jump in the "fast water" just to see how the current was running. He sometimes would even put on SCUBA equip and go for a dive.

Somewhere along this bumpy road of life Rick managed to find two caring souls to share and spend his life with.  He spent many years with this partner Michelle His Law and then he spent the last years of his life with Laura Big Eagle until her untimely passing in 2021.

Rick passed away on June 23, 2022 at Fort Thompson, SD at the age of 66 years.  Grateful for sharing Rick's life and short walk on earth are his brothers Elmer Drapeau Sr., LeRoy Thompson Jr., and Lester Thompson Sr.; sisters Anna Drapeau and Ellen Drapeau-Quilt; and his good friend Michelle His Law.

Rick was preceded into Heaven by his mother Annie Thompson and his father LeRoy Thompson Sr.; sister Shirley Ann Drapeau; brothers  Alphonso Drapeau Sr., and Bernard "Jumbo" Drapeau Sr.; sister Faith Ann Drapeau; special friend Laura Big Eagle; and many other nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles that left before him.