John Clifford Thompson

John Clifford Thompson

Born June 8, 1942 to Harry and Lois Blair Thompson - Died October 4th 2022

Dr. John Clifford Thompson was a social man, happiest to be in the middle of the next big scheme. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, John spent his life learning, his greatest desire to experience everything life had to offer.

John joined the Airforce and was part of the implementation of computer programing and artificial intelligence after graduating from the University of Oklahoma at Norman with his Bachelor of Science.

Once his service was complete, John went back to the academia he loved and completed his PhD. in physics. He spent much of his earlier life on campus and took a teaching position in the computer programing department where he stayed for 18 years, eventually becoming dean. During that time, John found and married Sonia Go, a foreign exchange student from the Philippines. They had two daughters when John was ages 37 and 41 which they raised for several years in Norman.

Later in life, John moved to Texas to consult in computer programming and was involved in many enterprises, travelling to new places his favorite part of work. His evening pastime was relaxing with good conversation or an adventurous novel, and it would not be surprising to find him sitting on a porch with a cigar and a glass of cognac. He enjoyed arguing philosophy with friends and his son-in-law Johnny.

Once John retired, he started to write, a childhood dream as his mother had also been a writer. John’s granddaughter Zaida spent many hours helping him with editing and listening to his colorful antics as a child. Although he never completed publication, John would speak of the scenes and dialogues of his stories, which danced through his thoughts. Life was always full of new adventures and John was never ready to slow down.

Survived by daughter Danella Thompson, spouse Johnny Thompson,
grandson Austin Thompson, and granddaughter Zaida Thompson of Alvarado, Texas and daughter Daphene Thompson of Norman, Oklahoma.He was a rare individual and will be greatly missed.