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John Thompson Obituary

John R. Thompson, Sr. 76, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on October 26, 2015. John was born in Muskegon on May 18, 1939 to Raymond and Josephine (Lumley) Thompson. He attended the Orchard View Elementary school and in 1957 graduated from Muskegon High School. It was during this time at MHS that John discovered his interest and talent in art and photography while working on the school's newspaper and year book. Upon graduation from MHS he enlisted in the US Army and graduated from the Army's Photography School. He spent a tour of duty in Korea and was always proud of his military service. To prepare for a professional career, John majored in art and photography for four years at The Rochester Institute of Technology and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1965. He was fortunate to work his entire career in the field of Visual Communications, on the cutting edge of technology as the world rapidly changed to digital. In 1983 he started his own company Main Frame Computer Graphics, Inc., in Grand Rapids. John is survived by his loving wife and best friend April who provided all the loving care during the difficult months prior to his Going Home. John is also survived by his children and step-children: John R. (Charlyn) Thompson Jr., Kristofor J. (Stephanie) Thompson, Sherry (Tim) McKellar, Jon (Michelle) Gray, Heather (Justin) Jimison, and Heidi Cook; 16 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. John is a member of Olivet Evangelical Free Church, 6790 Harvey Road, Spring Lake, Michigan where a memorial service will be held on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Craig Cramblet officiating. For a more lasting donation, in lieu of flowers please consider, an Education Fund for John's grandchildren or Harbor Hospice or Olivet Evangelical Church Building Fund.


Published by Grand Rapids Press from Oct. 28 to Nov. 4, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Thompson

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John and I were the best of friends at RIT. He will be missed by me.

David Smith RIT 1965

David Smith

December 18, 2015

R.I.P. John. I had the unique experience of serving with you on the Hackley Public Library Board of Directors.

November 6, 2015

April,
Barbara and I send our condolences. I feel very bad that I will not be able to attend the service. I miss John as a friend and as a partner on the Library Board: my big regret is that we never made our trip to the gun range.

Miss you, John.

John Derbin

John Derbin

November 6, 2015

April and family,
Tom and I send our
condolences to each of you. We are grateful for the good times we shared with John. He will be with us forever.

Dollie & Tom Hippchen

November 3, 2015

April, my condolences for your loss. You and John mean a great deal to me. I will keep you in my prayers.

Larry Spataro

October 31, 2015

John,

We probably weren't exactly what you hoped for in neighbors, but you not only put up with us, you gave us advice, gave us a hand in any way you could, and always encouraged our efforts. You once told me that your only regret was not taking more time to spend on the things you cared about... my only regret about becoming your neighbor (and - in my mind, at least - your friend) was not taking more time to chat with you. It's been an honor. I already miss you... I'll never stop hoping that I'm doing a good enough job to win your approval.

April,

It may seem that Alana and I are always gone, but in reality, we are always here for you. We are never too busy. Just call.

-Michael and Alana

Michael Brower

October 30, 2015

To our friend and neighbor, RIP

William Krick

October 29, 2015

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