John Asher Thompson

John Asher Thompson, servant of Jesus Christ, American hero, loving and beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on Monday, February 19, 2024 at the age of 81. He was born on December 6, 1942, to Barbara Ann Read and Asher James Thompson in New Orleans, LA, where his father, a naval officer, was preparing to embark for the Pacific during World War II. After his father’s deployment, John and his mother returned to their hometown of Lubbock, Texas.

Growing up in Lubbock, John (“Johnny”) was a good student and athlete. He played several sports, including golf for Lubbock High School; boxed Golden Gloves; and was the editor of the neighborhood newspaper, which he delivered daily along with the local newspaper. He competed in and won several state math competitions and attended Culver Military Academy during the summers. Graduating with honors from Lubbock High in 1961, John received a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy. John credited his time in Annapolis with transforming his life, both in terms of direction and the friendships that he treasured until his last breath.

John graduated from the USNA in 1965 with a degree in aeronautical engineering; he wore the gold stars for academic excellence and earned a coveted spot in flight training. On February 24, 1967, John received his U.S. Naval Aviator “Wings of Gold” at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. During the Vietnam War, John served with distinction while on two carrier deployments—aboard the USS Ticonderoga and the USS Oriskany—to the Gulf of Tonkin, completing 220 combat missions and 280 carrier landings in his A-4 Skyhawk, the Navy’s first-line carrier-based single seat jet.

In June 1967, six months before his first eight-month deployment, John married his wife Nina Stinson Still. He left the Navy as a decorated combat veteran in 1970 but continued to fly in the Naval Reserves for two more years. During this time, John and Nina moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with their two children, Amanda Boone and John Asher Jr., where John began his career as a pilot with Delta Air Lines.

John met Jesus Christ in the early days of living in Ft. Lauderdale, and his life was changed fundamentally and forever. He and the family were active members of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, where John became an elder. He was involved in a number of ministries at the church, and he became a diligent student of God’s word and theology, immersing himself in the works of the great theologians and leaders of the historical church.

John moved his family to Dallas, Texas in 1978. They became active members at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, and in 1992, they were founding members of Park Cities Presbyterian Church. Alongside others, John was deeply involved in the early days of PCPC, joining the initial pulpit search committee, teaching a theology class, and leading the efforts to start PCPC’s first church plant in Austin, Texas. John was also a friend and student of RC Sproul and served for 20 years on the board of Ligonier Ministries, which proved to be one of the great blessings of his life.

John and Nina moved to Austin, Texas in 1999 to be near their children and grandchildren. Words are insufficient to capture what an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather John was; he was deeply devoted to his entire family and was a monumental role model for his six grandsons.

After over 32 years of flying, John retired from Delta as a Captain on the Boeing 777, the largest passenger aircraft in the world at the time. He loved this airplane. He loved seeing the Northern Lights from the dark sky; he loved exploring places like Paris, Istanbul, Mumbai and Moscow. And he loved sharing these experiences with his wife and family, both in person and by sending hundreds of postcards to each of his grandsons.

From youth throughout his life John remained active and athletic. He was up by 6 am most mornings of his life, and after a devotion and prayer, would hit the ground running. Among many other activities, he ran, worked out, played golf and trained in Krav Maga until his body would no longer cooperate.

In 2009 John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Thanks to God’s grace, his tireless determination and great medical care, John persevered and thrived for 15 years. Over these years he continued to travel with Nina and spend countless hours with his children and grandsons; he also became very involved in ministries related to PD. For example, John was an early member of Rock Steady Boxing and other programs designed to promote fitness and muscle strength for patients with PD. John never complained or felt sorry for himself, and he never quit studying, learning and working hard. In 2018 John and Nina moved back to Dallas to be closer to his medical providers, his beloved Naval Academy Alumni group, and a host of life-long friends.

John died peacefully, with his wife and children at his bedside. He was present and responsive to the end, smiling at a family photo 15 minutes before God called him Home. He is celebrating now in the presence of Jesus Christ, and is reunited with his heroes and friends, while he waits to be reunited with the family he loved so well.

John is survived by his wife Nina, son John Asher Thompson, Jr. (wife Sheridan), daughter Amanda Thompson Wier (husband Keith), and his six grandsons: John Campbell Wyse, Henry Read Wyse, Wynn Hasson Wyse, John Asher Thompson III, Boone Gilkerson Thompson and Charles Hollingsworth Thompson. He is also survived by his younger sister Barbee Thompson.

Services to honor John’s life and legacy will be held on Tuesday, February 27. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 9:15 am at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211 (Cemetery Lane 2). The funeral service will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 1 pm at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow in Fellowship Hall. The service will be live streamed at https://pcpc.org/live/memorial-services/ .

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts honoring John’s life may be sent to: Ligonier Ministries, PO Box 947595, Atlanta, GA 30394 or Parkinson’s Voice Project, 646 N. Coit Road #2250, Richardson, TX 75080.