Jon Danforth Thompson

age of 89.

Born May 24, in St. Louis, Missouri , Jon embraced education and its valuable benefits,

graduating in 1954 from Webster Grove High School, where he was a member of the

school’s “outstanding” basketball team. His postsecondary achievements include a

Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri, where he was a member of

Sigma Chi Fraternity; Master of Education degree from the University of Cincinnati; and

a Doctor of Education from the University of Florida.

Jon’s professional career began in his hometown of St. Louis, where he worked for the

Purina Pet Company. In 1968, he relocated to Jacksonville, where his lifelong

commitment to education began. He taught at Jacksonville Country Day School,

before joining Duval County Public Schools, retiring after 32 years of service. During

his tenure he inspired and influenced both students and teachers, earning him a

leadership roles as principal, Supervisor of Elementary Staffing, and Regional

Superintendent. He was credited for the development and implementation of

programs and initiatives including year-round school that served students, teachers,

and faculty in district’s most challenged schools.

It is with this same spirit of servant leadership and commitment that Jon served in the

United States Air Force, and Air National Guard, which included duty in Germany

during the Berlin Wall Crisis. He retired as a Major with 20 years of service.

In addition to his civic and professional pursuits, Jon was an avid golfer, a passion that

began at an early age. Driven by a goal to grow the sport and the friendships it

fostered, he was a Founding Member of Timuquana Country Club. He represented the

club as a member of the Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA), where he served

on the Scholarship committee, stewarding the organization’s support of college

students.He was a strong champion of education, serving for more than a decade on

the Executive Board of the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens which included

Chairman of the Education Committee: he was President of the “Friends of the

Beaches Library,” President of the Kiwanis Club Jacksonville Beach, and board

member of Tradition House, a nonprofit organization that houses adult men recovering

from alcohol and drug abuse.

While strongly committed to causes and organizations throughout the Jacksonville

community, Jon’s strongest commitment was to his faith and the body of Christ. He

was a devout member of Riverside Presbyterian Church, where he sang in church

choirs for sixty years, served as a Deacon and Elder, and chairman of Community

Outreach, a position he held at the time of his passing. He was also a certified Stephen

Minister.

Preceded in death by his parents Dr. Victor Perrin Thompson and Elizabeth Danforth

Thompson, brother Tom Thompson, and son Brian Danforth Thompson, Jon leaves

behind his beloved wife, Cynthia Seago Thompson, his daughter Julie Thompson

Zettle (Brian), granddaughters Morgan Zettle Breland (Garrett) and Emily Ann Zettle.

Step children Robert Bruce Commander and Amy Boyd Commander (Carl). Step

grandchildren John Douglas Peterson, Eleanor Reece Peterson and Oliver Boyd

Armiger. His brothers, Ronald Perrin Thompson (Ann), Victor Perrin Thompson (Elaine)

and Dan Phillip Thompson (Mary).

The service will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Church on July 18 at 11:00. In lieu of

flowers donations can be made to Riverside Tradition House, 2911 Riverside Avenue,

Jacksonville Florida 32205.