John W. Thompson

John was born in Ackerman, MS December 13, 1954. He was a 1957 graduate of Mississippi State College. He taught 6th grade in Denver, CO. He was the Principal at Whitfield Elementary in Jackson, MS until he moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1969.  He was the Principal at 54th Avenue Elementary for 5 years, Lakeview Elementary for 9 years, Pasadena Elementary for one year and at Gulfport Elementary for two years until he retired in 1997.

John was an active member of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church and Joint Heirs Sunday School Class.  He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Joy, to whom he was married for 68 years.  They have one daughter, Linda Faye Nigh (Cliff) and one son, John Robert Thompson.  He will be missed by his three grandsons, Ryan, Jason (Joanna), and Chandler (Hannah) and six great grandchildren: Ryleigh, Evie Ruth, Liam, Callum, Charity, and Jon Shepard.  He also leaves behind his sister, Ilene Alliston (Prentiss).  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Frances Thompson, his brother Harvey Thompson, and his sisters, Charlotte Vickers and Jeanette Barksdale.