Rodney Quentin Thompson

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Rodney carried the spirit, pride, and deep sense of community of his historic upbringing into every chapter of his life.

Rodney Quentin Thompson, a distinguished veteran, dedicated educator and community leader, and a beloved family man of deep Catholic faith, went home to the Lord on August 20, 2026, at the age of 93.

Rodney was born on September 12, 1932 in Mobile, Alabama. He was the only son of Edgar Andrew and Jessie Mae Thompson (née Pickens). A proud, lifelong Angeleno and a true Eastside Boy, Rodney’s foundation of faith and community began in his youth on the Eastside, where he attended St. Patrick’s School and received the holy sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Rodney carried the spirit, pride, and deep sense of community of his historic upbringing into every chapter of his life. He grew up with a drive for excellence, proving to be a talented athlete who lettered in track at Polytechnic High School and Los Angeles City College.

A man of immense honor and intellect, Rodney served with distinction in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he dedicated his life to academic excellence, graduating from California State University, Los Angeles and later earning his Master of Arts in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. This foundation paved the way for a remarkable career spanning three decades as a respected teacher and administrator with the Los Angeles Unified School District. He believed deeply in the power of education and left an indelible mark on generations of students and colleagues.

It was during his time on the LACC campus that Rodney found the love of his life, Rose Marie Bunn, “Bunny.” Introduced by his sister, Winnie, who was a close friend of Rose, the pair famously met on the iconic College Green. They were wed on January 30, 1960, beginning a beautiful life partnership, and in 1970, they welcomed their only child, a daughter, Cynthia Marie, affectionately called “Honeycake.”

Rodney was deeply committed to brotherhood and community as a dedicated Mason, and an active member of the South Pasadena Oneonta Club. As a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for 75 years, he lived by the fraternity’s cherished anthem of mental toughness, brotherhood, and perseverance, forever embodying the final lines of his favorite poem: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." 

To those who knew him personally, Rodney was a force of nature. An avid model train collector for over 70 years, he possessed an eye for precision that also showed up in his reputation for sartorial flair. He possessed an insatiable appetite for current events, good food, fine company, and a perfectly timed dirty joke that could light up any room. He leaves behind a legacy of service, style, and unforgettable laughter.

He is reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Rose, and his Mama, Jessie Mae. His legacy will be carried on by his devoted daughter, Cynthia Marie Kirby; his cherished granddaughter, Ashleigh Marie Kazak; and his delightful great-grandson, Sebastian James Kazak-Anderson. He is also survived by his sister, Winifred Ashford; nieces, Andrea Conner and Michele Wallace; and nephews, Chris and Alan Ashford, alongside a community of fraternal brothers and lifelong friends.

You are cordially invited to attend a service in celebration of his life on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at two thirty in the afternoon at Forest Lawn Glendale. A graveside interment service will commence immediately following the funeral. Thereafter, family and friends are respectfully invited to gather for a repast at five o'clock in the evening at Rock Coffee House, located at 4808 Townsend Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90041.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to The Ebell of Los Angeles.