John Nelson Thompson

John Nelson Thompson

Salem, VA

John Nelson Thompson, 81, of Salem, Virginia, passed away on March 22, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, following complications from a car accident.

John was born on April 5, 1941, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Wilbur Francis Thompson and Louise (Crosley) Thompson. The family lived in both Iowa and California, then moved to a farm near Ainsworth, Iowa, after Mr. Thompson returned from his Navy service during WWII.

John attended Ainsworth High School, where during the 1957-58 season, he led the Ainsworth basketball team in scoring and rebounds and led the team to the Iowa High School 1A sectional championship. After graduation 1959, attended Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, and later James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

John married Lillian Diane Alvine, his high school sweetheart, on December 24, 1958. Together, the Thompsons enjoyed taking long road trips, spending time with family, and raising their three children, Lori, Kevin and Rick.

In Mount Pleasant, John began a 30-year career with the Blue Bird Body Company. In 1972, he transferred to Buena Vista, Virginia, to manage the construction of a new Blue Bird school bus factory. He worked there until the factory's closure in 1992, after which he was employed by two other school bus manufacturing companies in Indiana and Arkansas. He retired to Virginia Beach, Virginia, then to Plano, Texas.

A lifelong sports fan, John enjoyed playing golf and watching his grandchildren play basketball, football and other sports. Playing cards and visiting casinos were other favorite pastimes too.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Diane, in 2007.

He is survived by three children, Lori Davis of Corona, California; Kevin Thompson of Salem, Virginia; and Rick (Kathy) Thompson of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He us survived by six grandchildren, Madeline Davis of Corona, California; Zack Davis of Atlanta, Georgia; JK Thompson of Asheville, North Carolina; Bennett (Katie) Thompson of Lexington, Virginia; Jack Thompson of Clemson, South Carolina; and Jenna Thompson of Chapel Hill. He was a great-grandfather to Avery Davis, Charlie Thompson and Emma Thompson. John is also survived by his much-admired brother, Grover Frank Thompson (Margie), a retired U.S. Army officer living in Northern Virginia.

A Celebration of Life will held at 11 a.m. September 16, 2023, at Swedesburg, Iowa, Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. For questions, additional information or memorial donations, please call or text Lori T. Davis at (714) 717-4747.