George Irving Thompson

 

Born September 23, 1949 in Tuscola, IL, George grew up in Newman, Illinois. His parents were Wilbur and Virginia (Sibley) Thompson who operated the local variety store.  George had an identical twin brother, Robert W. Thompson (Sandy) and an older sister, Carol V. Sheldon (Roger).  In his youth, he was active as a Boy Scout achieving the rank of Life Scout, was the first member of his troop to be a member of the Order of the Arrow, and later enjoyed Scouting as an adult leader with his son who is an Eagle Scout.  George attended Eastern Illinois University with a major in Mathematics in 1971, obtained a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in Mathematics in 1973, and later in his career obtained an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1983.  He moved to the Chicago area in February 1973 where he later met and married his wife, Debra (Hayes) Thompson in 1978 at St. Giles Catholic Church in Oak Park, Illinois.  He had a long career in Information Technology working with well know corporations such as Allstate, Kraft Foods, Continental Grain, Ernst & Whinney, Anixter Brothers, Tribune Company, BP Amoco, and IBM in both senior staff and management roles.  After semi-retiring in 2011, he taught college mathematics part time mostly for DeVry University.  George and Debra lived in Oak Park, IL since 1980, raising their son, Paul Matthew Thompson.  In 2021 George & his wife relocated to Westfield, Indiana.  George enjoyed animals and was best known by the neighbors for walking the family pet dog, Gabby, around the neighborhood. 

 

George was active in the Computer Measurement Group organization during his IT career, published several papers on capacity planning, and volunteered as a regional officer.  For a few years George was a community political activist in Oak Park and River Forest, IL and helped change local laws that help prevent teenage drug usage and provide for non-punitive therapeutic alternatives to the enforcement of youth drug laws for initial violations.  He also enjoyed the Christian fellowship he found as a member of Grace Lutheran Church where his son, Paul, went to school.

 

George and Debra, the Love of his life, enjoyed traveling and especially dancing during their later years. George also enjoyed photography, tennis, and hiking.  Favorite vacations include taking the overnight mule ride into the Grand Canyon, going on a transatlantic voyage on the Queen Mary 2 from London to New York City, & traveling for 7 weeks in 2022 to Australia where his son currently resides.  During this trip of a lifetime, they toured throughout Australia, New Zealand, & the Fiji Islands. 

 

George leaves behind his wife, Debra, with whom he was married for over 45 years, his son Paul, sister Carol (Roger) Sheldon, brother Robert (Sandy) Thompson, nieces Rebecca (Omar) Ansari, Katie (Ray) Raad, Jamee Scobee, Loree (Scott) Dulin, and nephew Christopher (Pam) Sheldon.

 

 

Private Burial will be held in – Newman, Illinois

 

 

Memorial Contributions can be made to St. Lukes United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana or Newman Methodist Church, Newman, Illinois.