TENNESSEE – John A. Thompson, 65, of Rutledge, Tenn., passed away Sunday, March 14, 2010 at Morristown-Hamblen Hospital, Tenn., after his long battle with COPD and heart failure.
He was born in Georgetown on April 9, 1944 and spent most of his life living in Chenango County until he moved to Tennessee in 1992.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Kathleen Thompson; five children, Kelly Kahler, John Thompson Jr., Alan Thompson, Jonni Sue Berg and Lee-Ann Marano; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; a sister, Joan Petrie; and a brother, James Thompson.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. First in his life was his love for his children. He was known to many as BIG John Thompson with the gift of gab who never met a stranger without offering a smile and a helping hand. He spent much of his life with his beloved dogs by his side, enjoying his passion for classic cars and dirt track racing as both driver and owner. He started working at a very young age as a paper boy and as an adult became a jack of all trades – gas station owner, truck driver, plumber and part-time farmer – giving every job all he had.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of choice in his memory.
The family also wished to extend their gratitude and thankfulness to the staff at Morristown-Hamblen Hospital, the Grainger County EMS teams for their rapid response and to the Grainger County Ridgerunners car club for their friendship and support.
A celebration of his life will be held later this summer in New York and Tennessee. Arrangements are by Cremation Options Inc., (865) 693-2273, www.cremationoptionsinc.com.