John Timothy “Tim” Thompson passed peacefully on September 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born October 2, 1931, to Ruby Irene and Thomas Ambrose Thompson, Tim lived a full and happy life. Tim was a 1949 graduate of Quincy Notre Dame High School where he was a star athlete playing on the basketball and football teams. Tim attended Quincy College until he enlisted in the Navy. While in the Navy, Tim advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class and sailed on the USS LST 1126 Snohomish County transporting marines to Inchon during the Korean War.

Tim liked people. He enjoyed meeting, interacting and sharing a joke or two with others throughout his salesmanship career. In 1965 he joined Lee Enterprises, starting as a local salesman for both WTAD radio and KHQA TV. Tim, affectionately known as ‘JT’, was promoted to local sales manager in 1975 and national sales manager in 1980. He retired from Lee Enterprises in 1990.

Tim was an active community member and made a multitude of lifelong friends participating in the Quincy Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Southside Boat Club, Westview Golf, and Sheridan Swim Club, to name only a few. Tim and his family were parishioners of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Tim’s athleticism continued in his tennis, bowling and golf outings, culminating in a round of golf at Pebble Beach on his 90th birthday.

Anyone who knew Tim knew of his passion for music and dance. In high school, Tim joined the Quincy Drum and Bugle Corp and stayed involved through his college years. A memorable highlight was in 1951 when the Corp won the Illinois State Fair Governor’s Trophy beating the famous Chicago Cavaliers. Tim sang in the Quincy YMCA Male Chorus, the Quincy College Music Chorus and the Mart Heinen Chorus. At the age of 93, Tim was still tapping it out on his drum pad and sticks, still singing songs in perfect tenor key to his loved ones. He taught harmony to his children and could reach angelic high notes that would resonate with wonder. Music and dance were indeed among his great joys, especially when shared with family and friends. Another precious gift that he bestowed to all was his keen sense of humor and ability to hold the room captive while delivering the most complicated and hilarious jokes. He loved to make people feel good and capture their laughter.

Family was Tim’s greatest joy. Tim met his future wife, Mary Alice Cribb, in 1955. He first noticed the Hannibal beauty queen while selling suits at Block and Kuhl Department Store and later observed Mary Alice dancing with friends at the Terrace Room. As fate would have it, the two were eventually introduced through a mutual friend. The rest, as they say, is history. Tim and Mary Alice were married on June 30, 1956. They were blessed with five children, Theresa Kathleen (Richard Freihofer), Thomas Wayne (Nancy), Michele Marie (David Panicucci), Timothy Christopher (Jody), and Michael Philip. Tim and Mary Alice’s 60-year marriage was a testament in faith, hope, and love; the greatest of these was love.

Tim was proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Alice, his son, Mike, his parents, Tom and Ruby, his sister, Patricia, his brother, Tommy Mac, and other family loved ones. Tim’s surviving children, grandchildren (Lindsey, Megan, Thomas, Jessica, Jonathan, Matthew, Christopher, Matt, Aaron, and Sean), great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and remaining loved ones take great joy in knowing that the celestial party is on with Grampy Tim joining the heavenly chorus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter, Quincy. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors. Visitation is Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Blessing Foundation in care of the Lieutenant Michael Thompson Fund or to Chaddock Children’s Foundation.

A celebration of Tim’s life will follow the services at the Knights of Columbus, South 36th Street Quincy, IL.