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