John R. Thompson 84, Indianapolis, died July 27, 2016. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa and graduated from Milton College, where he met and married Nancy Burdick, his wife of 56 years. They settled in Madison, Wisconsin where John began his writing career in the marketing department of American Family Insurance.
The family moved to Carmel in 1961 where John became a freelance writer and producer of insurance marketing collateral. His love of the arts blossomed into a part time, then full time career as an actor for stage, radio and television commercials, and movies. John’s favorite bragging right had to have been for his role as Sheriff Sam in the movie Hoosiers.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, his parents, sister Lea Galati, brother Frank Thompson, as well as his son-in-law, Paul Greatbatch. He is survived by his children Susan, Michael, Ann Thompson (Ron) Brock and Kevin (Cathy) Thompson, along with grandchildren Brandy, Megan, Fiona, Ryann, Dustin and Kayla and five great-grandchildren.
A Requiem Mass will take place at the Episcopal Church of All Saints, 1559 Central Ave., Indianapolis at 10:00 am Saturday, August 20. Visitations are scheduled at the church Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, and beginning at 9:00 prior to the Mass on Saturday.
Memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of All Saints, or the American Cancer Society .
Carole Williams says
May John rest in God’s loving embrace and may his family be comforted by God’s loving mercy. What a talented writer, actor and voiceover veteran he was, sharing his talents with businesses, broadcast associates, fellow thespians and the Indianapolis community. His sharp wit and sense of humor brought joy to those privileged to know and work with him.