Gerald Joseph Thompson
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gerald “Jerry” Thompson of Jacksonville, Fla. passed Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 with his wife and family beside him.
Born in Hyde Park, Mass., Jerry was one of 11 children, being the middle child.
He is predeceased by his father, James Stafford Thompson and mother, Estella Lee Betts Thompson.
Jerry is predeceased by 10 brothers and sisters, Donald Thompson (Bertha), Doris Thompson, Alice Peterson (Earnest), Esta Pearl Laflamme (George), Virginia Clark (George), James Michael Thompson (Mary), Rosemary Thompson (infant), Mary Elizabeth Gamble (Neal), Josephine Rowell (Clarence) and Marion Lee Boyer (Roger). Jerry Thompson being the last of the siblings of Hyde Park, Mass.
Jerry was predeceased by his first wife and mother of two daughters, Madeleine “Maddy” Fisher Thompson. Married Feb. 7, 1957. His first love and best friend, Jerry was a loving, faithful husband to Maddy 58 years. Jerry was predeceased by several nieces and nephews.
Jerry is survived by his present, loving, caring wife and soulmate at time of passing, Shirley J. Thompson; two daughters, Nancy Duck (Brian) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Laurie Tauch (Curtis) of Orange Park, Fla.; one grandaughter, Katharine Lee Tauch of Orange Park, Fla., and two grandsons, Jonathan Ross Duck (Meagan) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Christopher Joseph Tauch (Cindy) of Orange Park, Fla.; and one great-grandson, “Little Man” Colton.
Jerry became known as “Pops” to three sons through his second marriage to Shirley, Daryl (Shannon), Marty (Cindy) and Shane (Heather). Jerry was always proud of his children, especially the grandchildren. Jerry is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Jerry also wants to thank all of the doctors for such great care: Dr. Rita Dhaliwal, Dr. Youssef Al-Saghir, Maria Antonio Miranda and everyone in the VA especially the Orange Team.
Gerald J. Thompson was a proud veteran of the United States Navy for 22 years and retired as a Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman in 1974. This is Jerry’s story of his U.S. Navy Career:
I joined the United States Navy at 17 years old. I attended Bootcamp at the United States Navy Training Center in Bianbridge, Port Deposit, Md. in 1952. I completed eight weeks of Airman School in Oklahoma, 14 weeks of Aviation Ordnanceman School in Jacksonville, Fla., six months at Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Wash., six months at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. In 1954, I took a 10-month discharge from the United States Navy. I then reenlisted in the United States Navy in 1955 and was stationed at NAS South Weymouth, Mass. for one year. In 1956, I received orders to NAS Brunswick for four years. It was here I met many great friends including current friends, Lee Baird and Bill Taylor. I also met Madeleine Fisher while stationed in Brunswick and married Maddy in 1957. We had our first daughter, Nancy in 1959. In 1960 I received orders to North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, Calif. Our second daughter, Laurie, was born while stationed there in 1961. In 1962, orders were received for B School in Jacksonville, Fla. I received orders in 1963 to Naval Station Guantanimo Bay, Cuba. The family and I lived there for three years.
In 1965, orders were received to NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va. for one year. In 1966 I received orders for shore duty to NAS Jacksonville Weapons for two years. 1968 I received orders for Sea Duty and was stationed in squadron VF-213 at Miramar Naval Air Station, San Diego, Calif. and assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63, Vietnam until 1971. In 1971 orders were received for shore duty and I was stationed at NAS Jacksonville Weapons for my final three years of military service. I proudly retired from the United States Navy as Aviation Ordnance Senior Chief in November 1974.
Upon my retirement from the United States Navy, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1975. I was employed by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Housing Department 1975 in Jacksonville, Fla. In 1983, relocated to the St. Petersburg Office of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Housing. After 19 years of service, I retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1994 as a Property Management Specialist. Thank you to all that were a part of my U.S. Navy career and my Veteran’s Affairs Property Management career.
Jerry was a respectful, dedicated grandson to his grandparents, a great son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, sailor and friend. Jerry never spoke unkindly about anyone and will be deeply missed by all that ever met him and knew and loved Jerry.
Due to floral limitations at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, the family requests no cut floral arrangements be sent to Jacksonville Memory Gardens or as an alternative, donations may be made in Jerry’s name to your favorite charity.
Gerald Joseph Thompson