John Thompson

Obituary For John Thompson

John was born on September 19th, 1929 in Dixon, IL. and grew up in Mt. Morris, IL. and Denver, CO. He married the love of his life, Wynona Tank, on March 20th, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder CO. He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army during the Korean War and, after leaving the service, obtained a Psychology Doctorate from the University of Colorado.

In 1964 John and his family moved to Oberlin, Ohio where was a Professor of Psychology and the First Director of Psych Services at Oberlin College for the next twenty-eight years. He also had a private practice helping others in the Oberlin community and for many years was the president of the board that oversaw the county's mental health center.

In 1991 John retired to Chapel Hill, North Carolina where he enjoyed living for the last thirty-one years. He became a member of The Church of Reconciliation and was instrumental in working for the ordination of LGBTQ individuals; as he was in 1976 working for the ordination of women in the Episcopal church. He was very passionate about fighting for Civil Rights and against social injustices.

John enjoyed traveling (from camping in Alaska to sailing in the Caribbean), was a voracious reader, enjoyed architecture, classical music, history, cars, and good food. He kept in close contact with friends, relatives, and colleagues. His happiest times were spent with his family.

He was always willing to give of himself; to share his time, experience, and knowledge. That must have been why he was such a great teacher. And he never met a Martini he didn’t like, but every day at 5pm he would try and find one.

John passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on the evening of June 1st, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Wynona, and his children; Steve (Cindy), James (Lisa), Michael (Jennie), Merri (Steve) Hutson and his grandchildren; Steven, Amanda, James, Alina and Keyon, and his great-grandchildren; Alexus, Cashton, Lily, Weston, Sophia, Steven and Tommy, and his siblings; Lenora Tracy and Janis Thompson, and his honorary sons; Peter Thompson and Vincent Moore.

John was well loved and had a life well lived. Truly one to celebrate!

John's memorial service will be on Friday, June 10th at 1:00pm at The Church of Reconciliation,110 N. Elliott Rd. Chapel Hill, NC. And on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84294350223?pwd=M3NrM0F3anNuOFprdWNVV3FUTVpUQT09

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed in John's name to The Church of Reconciliation through the following link: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1300204