SLS 17RS-3108 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 124
BY SENATOR PEACOCK
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the passing of Coach John Thompson of
Bossier City.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of
3 Coach John Thompson, renowned football coach, teacher, and mentor and to
4 celebrate his sports legacy that has spanned the greater portion of five decades.
5 WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of
6 the passing of such a distinguished gentleman as John Thompson, a vibrant man who
7 touched the lives of others in such a positive and meaningful manner; and
8 WHEREAS, Coach Thompson was not only a football coach who honed the skills
9 of young athletes, but he was also mentor, father figure, and advisor to many young men
10 who struggled to find success in the world of high school, collegiate, and professional sports;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, John Thompson was born on January 5, 1928, in Brusly, Louisiana, to
13 parents Levi and Gertrude Thompson, and he grew up as the All-American boy in
14 Waterproof; and
15 WHEREAS, he excelled as a stellar student athlete at Waterproof High School; he
16 graduated valedictorian of his class and received the American Legion Award; the football
17 team won the state championship the year he played on the team; and
18 WHEREAS, John attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches on an
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SLS 17RS-3108 ORIGINAL
1 athletic scholarship and lettered in football all four years; after graduation, he coached at the
2 college for one year; and
3 WHEREAS, John Thompson then served his country honorably in the United States
4 Army during the Korean Conflict, and his duty station was in Germany; and
5 WHEREAS, John had a successful and rewarding career as a coach and mathematics
6 teacher at several high schools in the cities of Lake Charles, Winnsboro, Bossier City, and
7 at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport; and
8 WHEREAS, in 1966, while coaching at Mansfield High School, the mayor honored
9 Coach Thompson with a declaration of "John Thompson Day"; and
10 WHEREAS, Coach Thompson was honored to serve as a member of the board of
11 directors of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, and, in 2016, he was inducted
12 into the Bossier High School Alumni Association Sport and Spirit Hall of Fame; and
13 WHEREAS, John Thompson worked tirelessly for the benefit of others, devoted his
14 life to unselfish service to God, and lived as a true steward of Christian faith and
15 fellowship; and
16 WHEREAS, John was active in the Catholic Church, attending daily Mass, teaching
17 Catechism, delivering communion as a Lay Eucharistic Minister for church parishioners and
18 hospital patients and he served as a lector and was awarded the Diocesan Medal of Honor;
19 and
20 WHEREAS, John was married to his wife, Josie, for sixty years, and their union was
21 blessed with four children, Lana Wann, Veronica Loper, Allison Hammond, and John
22 Thompson; beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and many
23 friends; and
24 WHEREAS, John Thompson possessed those outstanding characteristics of
25 leadership and trust that brought out the very best performance in athletes; he encouraged
26 young men, both in the game and beyond it, to put forth their very best efforts, to be strong
27 and brave in the face of formidable opposition, and to work diligently toward achievement
28 of their lifelong goals; and
29 WHEREAS, it is the legacy of Coach John Thompson and his passion for the game
30 that shall be revisited from time to time by all who knew him; he took good athletes and
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1 forged them into great players, great coaches, and great individuals.
2 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
3 express sincere condolences upon the passing of Coach John Thompson at the age of
4 eighty-nine.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
6 acknowledge that his life was well spent in benevolent service to others as a good Christian,
7 teacher, mentor, and football coach, and at his passing, does hereby pay tribute to the
8 remarkable legacy that shall live on in the hearts of those he touched in life.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
10 widow, Josie Thompson.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SCR 124 Original 2017 Regular Session Peacock
Expresses condolences upon the death of Coach John Thompson.
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