Jerald "Jerry" H. Thompson, age 92, of Bradenton, Florida passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021. Jerry was born July 23, 1929 in Price, Utah to the late Howard Wright and Ethel Louise (Kesler) Thompson.
Growing up during the depression Jerry worked as a sheepherder with his father and in his teens was a “Gandy Dancer” for The Nevada Northern Railroad driving spikes during the hot Nevada summers. On the ranch in Nevada, he attended a one room schoolhouse (rode his horse to school). Jerry moved several times during high school because his father was looking for work (as everyone else during the depression). He attended four high schools, in Las Vegas, Ely Nevada, St. George Utah and graduating at Ogden High School Utah 1945 at sixteen. After high school, Jerry enlisted in the Army Air Corp at Hill Field, Layton Utah 1945.
Jerry did his basic training in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Frankfort and Berlin Germany after Germany surrendered but before Japan. Army Air Corp Intelligence at Tempelhof during the “Berlin Air Lift”. Returned to Utah (married 7/28/1950 and twin sons 4/6/1951) then recalled into the Air Force for the Korean war Tinker AFB Oklahoma. Officers Candidate School at Lackland AFB Texas. Kirkland AFB New Mexico, assigned to one of the early hydrogen bomb projects. Randolph AFB San Antonio Texas. Wright Patterson AFB Ohio, attended AFIT earning a Master's Degree in electrical engineering. He was promoted to Captain, assigned to the Balloon Branch as Base Commander Vernalis Naval Base California 1960, early space program. Operations were shut down in Vernalis and moved to Holloman AFB New Mexico. Project officer on many stratospheric balloon launches most notable “Stargazer” 1962. Hanscom AFB Massachusetts 1964 Cambridge Research. Andrews AFB Wash. DC 1967 R & D System Command project “Pave Nail”. Jerry was then promoted to Major Vietnam MAC V 1969-1970. Andrews AFB Wash. DC, R & D System Command development of the modern “smart bombs”. He then retired as Lt. Col. in 1975. Jerry was a member of the American Legion Post 259 Commander, in Clinton, MD.
Jerry received many medals, but the one people remember the most was his “Good Conduct Ribbon” only the enlisted received them, so as an Officer he was recognized for working his way up, the “Berlin Air Lift," “Vietnam," “Bronze Star” and “Air Force Commendation Medal."
He had a second career starting and developing “Dancer the Unusual Store” going from a small arts and craft store to fabric and beads, wedding supplies, costuming that he created with his wife Verna, dance shoes and attire. He had great empathy for people. He hired people at the store, even if they needed to borrow money to make payroll, gave them money for school and other reasons. He was generous to customers giving discounts and donations. They designed and built their own store buildings. The business included a dance studio. Jerry is widely known as the MC for the yearly recitals of the “Cha L Mar Dancers”.
Jerry enjoyed working with his hands; weather it was leathercraft, wood craving, sewing and his embroidery machine. He was a member of the Community Theatre: Bedford Players and Andrews Players and was a troop leader, BSA on Andrews AFB. When their house was broken into. Jerry went to court; he testified for leniency and paid the young man to do chores around the house.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Verna Raye Hogan; loving children, Jim Howard Thompson (Maureen Ann Driscoll), and Robert Franklin Thompson (Jennifer Lynn Smith); cherished grandchildren, John Howard Thompson (Rebecca Lynne Larew), and Nicole Eileen Thompson (William Wallace Hurley IV) and great grandchildren, Aidan Wallace Hurley, Liam Patrick Hurley, Eric Foster Thompson, John Ellis Thompson, and Eleanor Jayne Thompson.
A graveside service with military honors for Jerry will be held Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd. 72, Sarasota, FL 34241.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsmemorial.com for the Thompson family.
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