John Berl Thompson Jr.

Mr. John Berl Thompson, Jr., 72, of Newnan, GA passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026 peacefully at home surrounded by family.

He was born April 11, 1953 in Lancashire, England to the late John Berl Thompson & Mary "Joanne" Anderson Thompson. John was a 1971 graduate of Windsor Forest High School, where he served as senior class president, was named salutatorian, and received the State of Georgia Merit Scholarship to the Georgia Institute of Technology. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Tech in 1977 and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. An active member of the Boy Scouts, he was honored with the Order of the Arrow.

John spent 21 years as a territory manager with Milliken, working in both the textile division and semiconductor industry. His career and travels took him across the country, including fourteen years in Orlando before settling in Newnan in 1995. A devoted member of First United Methodist Church, he served faithfully, including four years as president of the Agape Sunday school class. Known for his love of golf and his remarkable skill with his hands, he enjoyed refinishing furniture, hanging pictures, and creating beautiful flower pots. Many in the community fondly knew him from his nine years at Publix, and he was often greeted with a warm "Hey Mr. John" wherever he went.

A memorial service for John will be held Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Newnan First United Methodist Church, 33 Greenville St, Newnan with Reverend Andrew Chappell officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Parish Hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Newnan First United Methodist Church Preschool or Youth Ministry.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jennifer "Jenny" Johnson (James) of Foley, Alabama.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Lee Thompson; his two sons, Trey Thompson (Laura) and Pate Thompson, both of Newnan; his three grandchildren- John, Nora, and Jack Thompson; two sisters, Jackie (Arte) Ferrell of Daphne, Alabama and Jessica Rene (Larry) Buehler of Stevensville, Michigan. John is also survived by 10 nieces and 1 nephew.

McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580