Dick R. Compton, 76, Hays, Kansas died July 6, 2016 at home in Hays. He was born January 31, 1940, to Gilbert “Gib” R. and Thelma Mary (Cain) Compton at Lake City, Kansas in Barber County.
He moved to Atwood in January of 1960 as manager of an oil field supply store. There he met and married Leora “Lefty” (Domsch) on April 23,1961 at Atwood, Kansas. The two lived in Atwood until relocating to Hays in 1968. They had no children.
He moved to Atwood in January of 1960 as manager of an oil field supply store. There he met and married Leora “Lefty” (Domsch) on April 23,1961 at Atwood, Kansas. The two lived in Atwood until relocating to Hays in 1968. They had no children.
Dick was baptized into the Lutheran faith December 25, 1960, and confirmed March 26, 1961, both at Grace Lutheran Church, Atwood. He attended elementary schools in Lake City, and graduated from high school at Sun City, Kansas in 1958.
Following his employment by an oilfield supply firm Dick was later employed by Central Kansas Power (CKP) in Atwood. He began at CKP (now Midwest Energy) as a serviceman/lineman and later served in a number of executive capacities in Hays. These included New Business Representative, General Commercial Manager and Director of Governmental Affairs. He left Midwest Energy in late 1989. He then partnered in chartering a successful economic development tax consulting firm whose clients were many of Kansas’ major manufacturing and retail industries.
During Dick’s career he was a member of and participated in a number of business, community and civic activities. He served on the board of directors of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kansas Industrial Developers Association. He was an active member of and served as congregation Chairman of Messiah Lutheran Church. He served on the Board of Directors of Smoky Hill Country Club. He served on the Board of Directors of Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas and served as Fund Drive Chairman for the Ellis County United Way.
Dick was a member of and served terms as President of both the Hays Jaycees and the Hays Chamber of Commerce. He was one of five Hays business men that chartered Ellis County Economic Development, Inc. (now Heartland Development Corp.) He led the effort that culminated in establishing the Hays industrial park and constructing a speculative industrial building on city owned property at the Hays airport. He also led the Hays community effort that culminated in locating Yuasa-Exide Corporation (now Enersys) in the former Baxter Laboratories facility northwest of Hays.
Dick is survived by his wife, Lefty, of the home; a brother Raymon Compton and wife, Vera, Pratt, KS; a brother-in-law, Rusty Lake, Lake City, KS; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Dick was the fourth of five children. Four were boys. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dale Compton and Dalton Compton and a sister, Mary Dell Lake.
Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 11, 2016 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main, Hays, KS. A graveside inurnment will be held at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery in Atwood, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Monday at the Messiah Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Messiah Lutheran Church or Ellis County United Way in care of Keithley Funeral Services/Cline’s Mortuary of Hays 19019 East 22nd Street Hays, Kansas 67601.