John Thompson

John Ira Thompson, age 83, longtime Ann Arbor resident has passed on October 17, 2021 due to complications from an automobile accident. John I. was known among friends, family and colleagues as a great conversationalist as he was a treasure trove of knowledge on topics including history, philosophy and an appreciation for how to talk about and teach the great writers. He was a Teaching Fellow in the University of Michigan Department of English and an accomplished speechwriter during his career, having written for large corporations in and around the Detroit area. He liked to play tennis, do crossword puzzles, root for Michigan football, get people together for BBQs, and take walks by the Huron river. John I. and his late wife Madeleine Thompson (Czeisler) are survived by sister Cynthia Meek (Thompson), sons Geoffrey and Alex, as well as grandchildren, Tibor, Adele, Sydney and Tory Thompson. Born April 13, 1938 in Peoria, Il, John I. was raised in nearby Lacon, Il and Winnetka on the North Shore of Chicago by Ira Norris and Dorothy Thompson (Fleming). He attended New Trier High School, Yale University for his B.A. in Philosophy, the University of Chicago for an M.A. and the University of Michigan for a Ph.D. in English. John I. received accolades for his writing, including publication in Vital Speeches, and multiple Hopwood Awards for exemplary short stories from the University of Michigan. Visitation at Muelig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 49104, 734-663-3375, Saturday, October 30 from 10am until his Funeral Service at 11:45am. Committal Service 12:45 pm at Forrest Hill Cemetery, 415 South Observatory St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-663-5018. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Madeleine Thompson Memorial Fund. Checks: Ann Arbor Public Schools, memo Madeleine Thompson Memorial Fund. Address: AAPS Attention: Darci Francoeur 2555 S. State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Please share a memory of John on his tribute wall. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/3GL5MKYDY46F4R7C