Date of death: 3/17/2013
Saint Meinrad Class: SPH 1950
John “Jack” Ellis Thompson, 81, passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning, March 17, 2013, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. He was born on November 14, 1931, in Sommerville, Ind., to the late John W. and Wilma (Veller) Thompson. A kind and gentle man, he gave freely of his time and talents to his Church, his family, and to the community. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.Jack grew up in Evansville where he attended St. Benedict parish and grade school. He spent his high school years at St. Meinrad where he discerned a call to monastic life. Upon finishing, though, he followed a different path and joined the United States Navy, where he served in the Korean War in the South Pacific aboard the USS George.Upon returning to Evansville he married his beloved Emily and started a family. Over a span of decades his electrical contracting firm, JET Electric, wired many homes and offices in the area. In the early 80’s he joined the staff of University of Evansville, where he eventually retired as Physical Plant Director.Jack was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Newburgh. He was a member of St. John’s Men’s Club, the Knights of Columbus #8746, and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Assembly #253. He served on the Building Boards of both St. John the Baptist Church and the Diocese of Evansville. Deeply involved in his church, he focused his passion for vocations through the Serra Club, was in the first class of The Brut+¼ Society, was a driving force in both Source + Summit and Cursillo, and was the Spiritual Director of his CHRP team.Jack was active in Boy Scouts for over 40 years, serving as a Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Camp Director of the Outpost, Chaplain for Scouting for the Diocese of Evansville, and a board member of the National Catholic Committee of Scouting. Through Scouting he was able to share his great love of Christ and nature, and to instill solid values in countless young people. He was also a past member of the Kiwanis Club (sponsor of his first Scout Troop, #168) and of the American Legion. He held a BLS degree from the University of Evansville.He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard; and his granddaughter, Kristine Thompson. Jack is survived by his wife of over 56 years, Emily L. (Sasse) Thompson; sisters Phyllis, Ann, Mary, Catherine, and Rebecca; children Michael (Kathryn) Thompson, Timothy (Julia) Thompson, Monica (Joe) Deal, Patrick (Dinah) Thompson, Susanne (Kerry) Thompson, Nancy (Mike) Thompson, Kevin (Sirikaan) Thompson, Theodore (Karen) Thompson, Beth Thompson Brown, and Christopher Thompson; grandchildren, Heather, Justin, Ian, Kaitlin, Emilie, Amanda, Laura, Samantha, Morgan, David, Sophia, Abigail, Samuel, Isabelle, Tobias, Joshua, Madelin, Olivia, Gwynneth, Simon, Evan, and Liam; great-grandchildren, Michaela and Angelica.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 625 Frame Rd. Newburgh, Ind. Officiating will be Fr. Joseph Ziliak. Entombment will follow at the St. John the Baptist Mausoleum in Newburgh, with Military Rites conducted by the American Legion, Kapperman Post #44. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, with a memorial service and prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Titzer Family Funeral Homes/Simpson Chapel, 510 W. Jennings Street, Newburgh, Indiana, (812) 853-8314. Additional visitation will be held Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to service time at the church.Sympathy wishes to the family may be made at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh or to the Buffalo Trace Council, Boy Scouts of America.Published in Courier Press on March 19, 2013.