Robert "Keith" Thompson

Robert ""Keith"" Thompson, age 58 and a resident of Gulfport, died on Sunday, July 31, 2011, in Gulfport.
Keith was a resident of Gulfport since 1989. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant after 23 years of service, where tours of duty took him all over the world. It was at his last duty assignment at Keesler Air Force Base that he decided to become a Mississippian and avid New Orleans Saints fan for life. Keith then retired in 2007 from the Gulfport Police Department as a patrolman after 15 years of service. He was also a member of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, MS2 Chapter, Gulfport.
Keith dedicated his entire life to law enforcement and was committed to his profession and for caring and protecting his community. He is survived by his loving wife of 15 years Kathy Fussell Thompson. They shared so much over the years, everything from their love of travel; to such places as London and Ireland, to the sounds of Jazz wherever they could find it, to sharing their love of all the foods of the world. There are no words that could describe the love they shared but as Keith often told his children, ""Your mom is my life, she is the air that lifts my soul."" Keith touched many of our lives and souls, and his presence in our life is a gift we will always be thankful for.
He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Betty Z. Hoffman.
Keith is also survived by his father, Robert Lee (Kathy) Thompson of Inverness, FL; his mother, Mary Hodson of Leesburg, FL; his children, Shane Thompson of Rockledge, FL, Shanna Thompson (Todd) Laging of Alexandria, VA, and Tina Rexroad-Messer of Lakeland, FL; his brother, Mark Thompson of Biloxi; his sister, Maralee (Kent) McKee and their children, Mark and Corbett, all of Orlando, FL; his grandchildren, Delaina Thompson and Tia Messer; his brother-in-law, Dennis Mark (Pat) Fussell of Walen, NY, and his two canine companions, Mac and Cleo.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2011, at 1:30pm, with police honors provided by the Gulfport Police Department Honor Guard, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport, where friends may visit from 12'Noon until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors to be provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.
Due to the floral restrictions at the cemetery, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, or to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 Highway 49, Gulfport, MS 39501.
For more information, please call (228)539-9800.