John Thompson

1946 - 2025

John (Jack) Erskine Thompson

1946 - 2025

- "Fuhgeddaboudit," Jack would often remark when life became overwhelming, always in his best Italian accent. These small pearls of wisdom will be taken to heart as we remember Jack's loving legacy.

John (Jack) Erskine Thompson passed away peacefully at his home in West Jordan, Utah, on July 27th, 2025, at the age of 79, following a brave battle with lung cancer. Born March 2, 1946, in Salt Lake City, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather (aka, "Papa", "Pop", or "Pop Pop") will be remembered for his unfailing devotion to his family, sparkling wit, and love of his country.

Jack grew up in Bountiful, Utah, where he developed a love affair with the great outdoors. His early interests included shooting sports, boating, and hunting.

In his late teens, Jack decided to enlist in the United States Air Force, where he was deployed to Vietnam and simultaneously volunteered with the US Army's 173rd Airborne Sky Soldiers unit. Just before his deployment to Vietnam, Jack married his childhood sweetheart, Sherry Lynn Allred, on June 19, 1965, in Rose Park, Utah. The two were inseparable soulmates and shared a remarkable partnership steeped in deep affection and shared adventure.

Jack was proud of his country and military service. After his return from the war in October 1966, he used his GI bill to enroll at Utah State University, where he re-enlisted with the ROTC. He graduated from USU in three years, obtained his pilot's license, and was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and served as a Field Artillery Officer.

With his beloved Sherry, the two chased their dreams and made a beautiful family over the decades, living in Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, and Colorado. Their children Tonia Kay Thompson (Robert) Samples; Jennifer C. Thompson (Eric), the late Rob (Kim) Thompson, who passed in 2024; and the late John E. Thompson Jr., who passed in 1972.

After his military service, Jack's adventurous spirit led him from operating Jack's Pizza Place, running Cottage Motors car dealership, to working for Chevron Oil & Gas in Papua New Guinea, to the African countries of Nigeria and Angola. He enjoyed full retirement from Chevron at the age of 70, devoting the last years of his life to his growing family.

Jack took immense pride in his grandchildren: Connor (Alex), Austin, Jorden, Markus, Mason (Marissa), Colin (Clara), John (Sabrina), Zander, and Zoe-delighting in their every accomplishment. Great-grandchildren include Rory Belle, Keegan, and one on the way by Jorden. He was known by his loved ones as a strict but loving military man.

With this best friend, Lee, he would ride his Harley on the open road, seeing the countryside he so passionately defended. His other interests included golfing, fishing, annual camping trips at Pyramid Lake, woodworking, welding, and repairing cars. He was known to wear only Carhartt shirts with their signature pocket.

Of all his varied interests, this true "Jack of All Trades" delighted in nothing more than cooking for family and friends, especially his legendary chili, which he proclaimed to be "famous all over the world…and in some parts of Idaho!" Jack also possessed a great love for music and did a great "curled lip" impression of his favorite, Elvis Presley. His humor and distinct laugh will be missed by all who knew him.

Although we do our best to remember Jack's wisdom to not feel overwhelmed by his loss, we will never forget Jack's sage advice, his attention to detail, or his boundless generosity. The rock of his family, Jack was steadfast, loving, and–in a word–irreplaceable. He will be missed beyond words.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Virginia Booth Thompson, siblings Mark Thompson and Velma Lynn Carter, and his two sons. He is survived by siblings Doug (Carol) Thompson, Mar Jean Thompson, and Kara Lee Thompson.

Jack will be honored with a military burial at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah on August 6, 2025 at 2 pm. There will be a closed casket visitation prior from 12:30 -1:30 pm at the chapel at Utah Veterans Memorial Park. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.