John Paul Thompson answered the call from God to come home to his eternal reward on February 4th, 2023. He passed away in his sleep after previously sharing that ‘God is taking care of things no matter what’ and he was seeing ‘angels all around.’ He will be joining his wife Barbara Ann in paradise singing praises to the Lord forever.
In life, John Paul did not know a stranger, and shared his joy and love with them. Because of his compassion for people, he wove mats for the homeless to sleep on, watched over them in cold shelters, and provided clothes and food so their needs would be met. He grew gardens to feed his family and shared from his pantry with anyone in in need. He collected clothes in a special closet so others would have something nice to wear. He was grateful for all that the Lord had provided to meet these needs. He was also grateful that J.C. Penny corporation had given him money for clothes when he went to college.
John Paul also volunteered with the Special Olympics to bring full life to those with challenges, Lion’s Club to give sight, community reading programs for the youth, Boy Scouts to share skills and life direction, and walked with brothers and sisters in Martin Luther King, Jr parades with great joy. He also freely gave his time to many bible studies and camp retreats over the years.
In life, he served many churches sharing about the love of God through Jesus Christ who made a way to come into full life. He served people in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 5 states: Georgia (Atlanta (Peachtree), Guyton, Watkinsville, Marietta, and Lawrenceville); Missouri (Dripping springs, Bucklin, Knob Noster, and Grant City); Illinois: (Decatur (Prairie Avenue)); in Nebraska: Alma; and South Carolina: Walterboro.
John Paul will be greatly missed by his family. He was the 7th of 14 children. Surviving siblings are Doris, Charlotte, Virginia, Wauneta, Steven, Phyllis, and Sharon. He is also survived by; daughters Leilani and Leinesa, sons through marriage Todd and Ken; and granddaughters Michelle, Eliza, and Sarah Ann. He will also be missed by many friends he shared life with, neighbors, and communities that he lived in. John Paul’s favorite thing was to laugh and joke with people and then listen to what was on their heart. He was quick to help others through the goodness that God put in his life and what the Lord blessed him with. His life is known by love in action for the benefit of others.
John Paul Thompson’s life will be celebrated Saturday, February 25th at 1:00pm at Beach Church’s Chapel, 325 7TH Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. A reception for friends and family will follow.
(Some have asked if donations could be sent to a charity of interest to John Paul. If you are interested, you may send a donation to the Special Olympics, P.O. Box 626, Alberta Lea, MN, 56007.)
Deborah and Tammy Lantrip, and Shane
July 22, 2023, 1:23 am
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Gail Tobin
July 22, 2023, 1:23 am
Bruce and I showed up on his doorstep a few years ago when we were staying in our motorhome and visiting people and visiting places and seeing the country we had not told him we were coming. We knocked on his door and he was so pleased to see us mainly Bruce I think, but we were a package deal And they visited and visited and visited and had a great time. John was such a gentle man. Such a good man 20 some years ago him and Barbara flew up here and John officiated over our daughter and son-in-law’s wedding! His great niece. He would ask us every time Bruce would talk to him or see him. How is Renee and Charlie doing? Bruce will tell him it must’ve took Uncle John. They are still together with two children and very happy. Now Bruce and him are both in heaven and all pain and suffering is gone! So sorry for your loss he will be truly missed, but he has a whole bunch of family that he’s is with right now. And most of all he is with God.
Gail Tobin ❤️????
Michelle Castro
July 22, 2023, 1:23 am
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart grieves with you all. John was such a delight and truly lit up a room when he walked in. I am so blessed that I was able to know him. I know he is in the presence of God, and for that I rejoice with you. My prayers are with you.
Your Tennis Team
July 22, 2023, 1:24 am
You have been in our thoughts and in our prayers