Namon Roy Thompson was born June 19, 1942 to Namon Thompson and Vivian Robinson Thompson. He was the second child born within that union. He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Highland Baptist Church along with his mother and brother, Sherman.

Namon attended W.W. Yates Elementary School, R. T. Coles High School and Central High School in Kansas City. During his senior year, he went to stay with his Uncle and Aunt, Daniel and Lillian Wynn in Tuskegee, Alabama where he went to Tuskegee High School and graduated in 1958. In 1963, he married Barbara Bell and had one son, Namon Roy Thompson, Jr.

At a very young age, he demonstrated his interest in music with emphasis on drums. Namon developed and refined his skills as a drummer under the instruction of Mr. Leo Davis, a well-respected music instructor at R.T. Coles High School. He became a drummer with the St. Stephen Baptist Church Drum and Bugle Corp and the KC Drum and Bugle Corp when he was 14 years old.

After high school, he returned to Kansas City and played drums with local jazz groups, The Derbys and The Bloodstones. He also played local venues with his friend, the late Donald Cox and his band "A Touch of Class." In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles, California where he played with a number of renown jazz and R & B Groups, to include backup band for Bob Hope tours and performances. While in Los Angeles, he was also the drummer for Century Christian Center, the church pastored by his uncle, the late Rev. Golia Robinson, Jr.

He returned to Kansas City in 1988, and eventually played backup for the Kansas City Gospel Wonders. He also briefly played drum accompaniment for the choir at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church and later for Second Baptist Church. During this time, he worked for Long Motor Company in the shipping department during the week and played local venues on the weekends.

In addition to playing drums, Namon became proficient at playing the harmonica. He surprised his family at a reunion one year when he played a harmonica rendition of "Amazing Grace." He also played keyboard, and later in life, he taught himself how to play the guitar.

He was preceded in death by both parents, his brother Sherman Thompson, sister Dianna Miller, his son Namon R. Thompson, Jr., former wife Barbara Bell Titus, and sister-in-law Mary Thompson.

Namon is survived by his sisters, Vanilla Lee, Jeanette McKinnie (Robert), Shirley Lecher, M.D. (Jay), brother-in-law, Cecil Miller, two grandchildren, Deonte Thompson and Royce Thompson, several great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral service Friday, July 24, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Baptist. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation 10:00 a.m - 10:45 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic and the City Ordinance guest are required to wear mask.