Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – May 12, 2001

Jerry L. Thompson

April 28, 1934 - May 9, 2001

Jerry L. Thompson, 67, residing on Sampson Street, South Bend, IN, passed away at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2001, at Ironwood Health & Rehabilitation Center, South Bend. Jerry was a vice-president of the former National Bank and Trust Co., and a former president of Pike County Bank in Petersburg, IN. he was the manager of the consumer loan division at Teachers Credit Union when he retired in 1991.

Jerry was born on April 28, 1934, in South Bend, IN, to the late William and Dorothy (Ringle) Thompson and was a lifelong resident of South Bend. On July 21, 1956, in South Bend he married Mary Lou Clark, who survives.

Jerry was a 1954 graduate of John Adams High School in South Bend. He was an all-conference basketball player who still holds the John Adams gym record for most points in a game (48, vs. Warsaw 12/12/53). In 1954 he was selected as a member of the Indiana All-Star team for the annual series against the Kentucky All-Stars.

Receiving a basketball scholarship to Indiana University, Jerry was a three year starter for coach Branch McCracken. During Jerry's college career Indiana won one Big Ten Championship and tied Michigan for a second title. Jerry graduated in 1958 with a degree in business administration. He turned down an opportunity to play in the NBA in order to stay close to home and raise his family.

He remained active all his life in local sports, playing semi-pro basketball and later on many city league championship teams in both basketball and fast-pitch softball. Jerry was also a avid golfer and tennis player, and excelled in every athletic activity he participated in from volleyball to ping pong.

A brother of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Jerry was the longtime manager of the National Bank and Trust Co. branch at Mishawaka Avenue and 30th Street in River Park. He was a former president of both the National Bank Men's Association and the River Park Businessmen's Association. He was also a member of the River Park Lions Club and the South Bend Elks Club. Jerry was selected in 1979 as a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team.

Surviving along with his loving wife of 44 years, Mary Lou, are two daughters, Jennifer Thompson of Florida and Suellen Thompson of Elkhart; three sons, Scott (Susi) Thompson of Granger, Thomas (Susan) Thompson of Osceola and Patrick Thompson of South bend; three grandchildren, Chloe, Michael and Molly; and one sister, Sandra Brewington of Osceola. Three brothers preceded him in death, William Thompson, Jr., Max Thompson and Richard Thompson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. today, May 12, 2001, at Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend. Rev. Ed Erskin will officiate. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. The family received friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home.

Mary Lou and all the children wish to express their deepest thanks to the caring staff at the Ironwood Health an Rehabilitation Center. Jerry received wonderful care at both the Lamplighter Unit and Unit 300 during his stay at the Center. The staff demonstrated the highest levels of sensitivity, kindness and professionalism throughout, and the family will remain eternally grateful.