Gerald James “Jerry” Thompson aka Uncle Jerry, Paw Paw, as a teenager “squirt”, age 86, died peacefully with family by his side in his home in Baton Rouge at 6:07 a.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Jerry died after a long battle with stage four heart failure. He cheated death in 1995 after a massive heart attack. Jerry Thompson was born on July 31, 1936, to the union between Fred Thompson and Alvine Boudreaux. Jerry was the youngest of nine and was called the caboose. He was a native of Plaquemine Louisiana, resided in Baton Rouge with his wife Lois of 38 years. They enjoyed traveling throughout the US, Mexico and Canada. A graduate of St. John Catholic High School, Plaquemine. He helped organize 17 class reunions for St. John Class of 1954. Jerry attended Loyola University for two years and finished up his degree at LSU earning a BS degree in general studies, thanks to the GI Bill. He was a Navy Veteran Second Class Yeoman who served on aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19). Jerry became a Navy Shellback in 1956 and a member of the VFW J.E.B Post 4224. He worked for DSM Copolymer for 38 years and was a member of the American Chemical Society, Rubber Roller Group, and Southern Rubber Group. Jerry was a prolific reader of adventure and suspense novels. He was a supporter of the Baton Rouge Eye Bank and was a speaker for their ceremonies. Jerry did extensive work on his ancestry family tree. He was a wonderful, kind, funny, honest, happy, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. As a member of St. Thomas More, Jerry served as an usher. He also loved his group of friends from St. Louis King of France who often met at the Piccadilly. Like all of his siblings Jerry enjoyed gardening, he especially liked to grow hot pepper plants. He was everybody’s dad, grandfather, paw paw, and friend, always up for a good time. Jerry's home was the hub for family gatherings where he would cook various foods for all occasions, especially July 4. He always liked football parties with the gang. Dad lived life to the fullest, always making plans, with eyes on the future, and his heart open. If you were lucky enough to know him, you were lucky enough to love him. Survivors include his wife Lois Carpenter Thompson; three daughters Jayne T. DeJean, Marie T. Pierce (Mert), Elizabeth T. Lemoine (Hansel), two stepdaughters Laynette H. Spring (Donald), Julie H. Jumper (Daryl), two sisters; Sister Mary Elaine Thompson, MSC, Baye Simmoneaux; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Fred Raymond Thompson and mother Alvine Barbara Boudreaux, brothers: Fred Jr. (Josie), Earl (Iris), John (Cecile), sisters; Florence Guidry (Cyril), Margaret Prejean (Bobby), Dolores Carter (Stephen), son-in-law; Steve DeJean. Visitation for Gerald James Thompson will begin on Sunday, November 6, from 5 to 8 pm at Rabenhorst Funeral Home (11000 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge) and will continue on Monday, November 7 at 9:30 am until procession to St. Thomas More Catholic Church (11441 Goodwood Blvd) for the Mass of Christian Burial at 11. Father Bill John Melancon will preside. Entombment will follow in Grace Memorial Park, Bayou Jacob Road, in Plaquemine, with Deacon Joe Scimeca performing graveside rites. Readings will be proclaimed by Marie Pierce and Beth Lemoine. Gift bearers will be Jerry's granddaughters, Sharla Pierce and Cathleen Siersema. Pallbearers will be Jerry's grandsons, Jeremy and Cory Lemoine, Chev Pierce, Jason and Tommy Spring, and Curt Bordelon. Honorary pallbearers will include Michael Blouin, Jack Gleason and Jack Laurent. The family is grateful to The Hospice of Baton Rouge for their compassionate care. Memorial donations in Jerry's memory may be sent to Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank, 7777 Hennessy Blvd, #1005, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.
