(Archbold Resident)
Veteran
John Joseph Thompson, age 71, of Archbold, passed away on December 15, 2023, in CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice. He was born on March 9, 1952, in Perrysburg, Ohio to Charles E. and Elda M. (Hopfield) Thompson.
John was the 5th of 7 children. John and most of his siblings attended Perrysburg schools from K-12.
John’s father, Dr. Charles E. Thompson, was a well-known Optometrist in town, resulting in John often hearing classmates say, “Hey, John I got my glasses from your dad!”
John, a member of the Perrysburg High School Class of 1970, was on both the football and wrestling teams.
He subsequently attended The Ohio State University before receiving a draft notice in October 1972 to serve in the Vietnam War.
John then volunteered to join the U.S. Navy. After basic training, he attended the U.S. Naval School for Electricity and Electronics in San Diego, California.
He was honorably discharged from the Navy on December 15, 1976, leaving as an Electrician’s Mate Fifth Class.
In 1977, John began working as an electrician for the Campbell Soup Company in Napoleon, Ohio, retiring in 2014.
John loved to travel. During his years in the Navy, he had the opportunity to visit Guantánamo Bay in Cuba, Italy, and Spain.
Later, he visited many places including Ireland, Alaska, and Switzerland. His favorite country was Kenya.
During his Kenya trip, a large group of school children ran up to him and were amazed and delighted by his VERY red hair! They all wanted to touch it.
John was a risk-taker and loved adventure. He earned his pilot’s license in 1981 and delighted in riding his motorcycle.
He also enjoyed the goats, chickens, peacocks, and cats he raised on his farm in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio.
While in hospice, his last wish was to take one last airplane ride. Thanks to the caring efforts of his friends, the hospice employees, the Defiance firefighters and others, the flight safely occurred on December 6, 2023.
Most of all, John was a genuine, hardworking, kind-hearted, generous man who was appreciative and loyal to friends. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family and those fortunate enough to know him.
John is survived by all his siblings – Susan Hopewell, Virginia Luce, Charles Thompson, Janine Avila, Molly Robinson, and Bruce Thompson, as well as many nephews, nieces, and dear friends.
A celebration of John’s remarkable life will be held in the future.
Contributions in John’s memory may be made to Nature’s Nursery in Whitehouse, OH or to a charity of your choice.
To leave a message of comfort for John’s family please visit, www.grisierfh.com and click on “Tribute Wall.” Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home, 219 S. Fulton St. Wauseon, Ohio was honored to serve the family.