Obituary of John Clair Thompson

Dr. John Clair Thompson, 83, passed away on April 5, 2016 at Aaron Manor in Chester, Connecticut. Born in Decatur, Illinois on February 27, 1933, he was the son of Joseph Joy Thompson and Dorothy Filson Thompson. He survived his wife of 53 years, Barbara Ann Beckman, who passed away in 2009. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Illinois in 1954, graduating with honors and Phi Beta Kappa. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1956 and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois in 1961. He began teaching at the University of Louisville's College of Business in 1960, leaving in 1967 to join the faculty of the University of Connecticut's School of Business focusing on economics and business environment and policy until retiring in 1996. He founded John Clair Thompson & Associates, a consulting firm, working primarily on real estate development projects in Kentucky and Connecticut. In 2000, John was the first faculty member at the University of Louisville College of Business to be inducted into The Craf Society which recognizes instructors whose students credit them with having a lasting, unforgettable influence. He listened to classical music every day, was an inquisitive reader on many subjects and an avid collector of both records and books. He and Barbara dedicated much of their leisure travel to visiting art museums around the United States. He enjoyed writing poems in birthday and holiday cards to family and friends. Always an elegant dresser, he was also a skilled sportsman including the ability to play tennis ambidextrously. At family gatherings, ever the teacher, he prompted everyone into discussions with index cards that had "Ask me about…" with at least five subjects listed below. A steadfast reader of The New York Times, he completed their crossword puzzles in ink and was a keen observer of American political history. He is survived by his son, Joseph J. Thompson and his wife Tracy of Higganum, CT; a daughter, Ann Thompson and her husband Jim Childress of Essex, CT; a former son-in-law Neal Goldberg; a brother, Douglas Thompson of Orrville, Ohio; and grandchildren Mark, Sarah, Alexander and Melissa. The family would like to extend special gratitude to his caregiver of six years, Daria Mushkudiani and to the staff at Aaron Manor. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.