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BORN
1938
DIED
2024
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John Thomson Obituary
John Ralph Thomson
February 20, 1938 - January 25, 2024
San Luis Obispo, California - John Ralph Thomson 85 of San Luis Obispo, CA passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024 surrounded by his children.
John was born on February, 1938 to Glen H. Thomson and Ramona "Peggy" Thomson in San Luis Obispo, CA. He is a 7th generation to be born in San Luis Obispo County. His maternal grandmother's family (Vasquez Cantu) received one of the last Spanish Land Grant, the Rancho San Luisito, now known as the Hollister Adobe. His maternal grandfather, Rafael Mora owned a butcher shop in Cambria and was the largest individual of livestock buying and shipping in the area. His paternal grandfather, John W. Thomson was teacher and principal of SLO Senior High School from 1914 to 1945 and his paternal grandmother, Mabel M. Thomson was a charter member of The Monday Club.
He grew of a typical small-town boy, he would ride his bike to Pettingers/Scrubby & Lloyds and pick up burgers for his father's shop. He would go to W. W. Burris Saddlery with his grandfather then on to the Elmo Theater with his grandmother to was news reel and Hop-along Cassidy movies. When he was 14 years old, his parent bought him a 1932 Ford Roadster that he still owns, he and his friends would hang out at his father' mechanic shop on the corner of California and Monterey, working on their roadsters. He and his father would race the roadster in the "B" races throughout California. He was very fortunate to have lifelong friendship with some of his classmates and many more throughout his life. In the summer of 1954, John met Jacqueline Polzin while cruising in his 1932 Ford Roadster in Pismo Beach, CA. They married in 1958 and went on to have 4 children.
After he graduated from San Luis Senior High School in 1956, he went on to serve a plumbing apprenticeship and journeymen program under Allen R. Ochs, eventually he and his wife would purchase the plumbing business in 1965, it became John R. Thomson Plumbing. He then became the youngest president of the San Luis Obispo Contractors Association.
In 1972, John survived a horrific automobile accident and spent a year in the hospital, they told him he would never walk again. He proved them wrong and was able to do what he loved hunting, fishing and riding horses with his kids and friends and eventually reopen his business when his son's wanted to learn the plumbing trade.
In 2000 John retired to spent more time doing what he enjoyed: hunting, fishing, working on his Roadster, helping Jacque in all her endeavors, enjoying his children, and spoiling his grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years Jacqueline Polzin Thomson, his parents Glen and Peggy Thomson and his sister Glenda Warren.
He is survived by his children Julie (Nick) Vlasis, Jonelle Thomson, John, (Kathi) Thomson, Jr. and Jason (Shawna) Thomson, his grandchildren Nikki (Joe) Clarot, Greg Vlasis, Taylor Thomson, Cassidy Thomson, and Kendall Thomson and his great grandsons Gavin Vlasis and Cade Clarot, his brother in-law Brad Polzin and his nephew and nieces and his many cousins. He is also survived by family friends Jose and Carmen Gomez and their children Jesus and Guadalupe who he and Jacque considered part of the family.
A celebration of life for John will be held at the SLO Elk's Lodge on February 24, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to your favorite charity in memory of John Thomson.
February 20, 1938 - January 25, 2024
San Luis Obispo, California - John Ralph Thomson 85 of San Luis Obispo, CA passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024 surrounded by his children.
John was born on February, 1938 to Glen H. Thomson and Ramona "Peggy" Thomson in San Luis Obispo, CA. He is a 7th generation to be born in San Luis Obispo County. His maternal grandmother's family (Vasquez Cantu) received one of the last Spanish Land Grant, the Rancho San Luisito, now known as the Hollister Adobe. His maternal grandfather, Rafael Mora owned a butcher shop in Cambria and was the largest individual of livestock buying and shipping in the area. His paternal grandfather, John W. Thomson was teacher and principal of SLO Senior High School from 1914 to 1945 and his paternal grandmother, Mabel M. Thomson was a charter member of The Monday Club.
He grew of a typical small-town boy, he would ride his bike to Pettingers/Scrubby & Lloyds and pick up burgers for his father's shop. He would go to W. W. Burris Saddlery with his grandfather then on to the Elmo Theater with his grandmother to was news reel and Hop-along Cassidy movies. When he was 14 years old, his parent bought him a 1932 Ford Roadster that he still owns, he and his friends would hang out at his father' mechanic shop on the corner of California and Monterey, working on their roadsters. He and his father would race the roadster in the "B" races throughout California. He was very fortunate to have lifelong friendship with some of his classmates and many more throughout his life. In the summer of 1954, John met Jacqueline Polzin while cruising in his 1932 Ford Roadster in Pismo Beach, CA. They married in 1958 and went on to have 4 children.
After he graduated from San Luis Senior High School in 1956, he went on to serve a plumbing apprenticeship and journeymen program under Allen R. Ochs, eventually he and his wife would purchase the plumbing business in 1965, it became John R. Thomson Plumbing. He then became the youngest president of the San Luis Obispo Contractors Association.
In 1972, John survived a horrific automobile accident and spent a year in the hospital, they told him he would never walk again. He proved them wrong and was able to do what he loved hunting, fishing and riding horses with his kids and friends and eventually reopen his business when his son's wanted to learn the plumbing trade.
In 2000 John retired to spent more time doing what he enjoyed: hunting, fishing, working on his Roadster, helping Jacque in all her endeavors, enjoying his children, and spoiling his grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years Jacqueline Polzin Thomson, his parents Glen and Peggy Thomson and his sister Glenda Warren.
He is survived by his children Julie (Nick) Vlasis, Jonelle Thomson, John, (Kathi) Thomson, Jr. and Jason (Shawna) Thomson, his grandchildren Nikki (Joe) Clarot, Greg Vlasis, Taylor Thomson, Cassidy Thomson, and Kendall Thomson and his great grandsons Gavin Vlasis and Cade Clarot, his brother in-law Brad Polzin and his nephew and nieces and his many cousins. He is also survived by family friends Jose and Carmen Gomez and their children Jesus and Guadalupe who he and Jacque considered part of the family.
A celebration of life for John will be held at the SLO Elk's Lodge on February 24, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to your favorite charity in memory of John Thomson.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Feb. 11, 2024.
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Reis Family Mortuary and Crematory - San Luis Obispo991 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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