St Landry County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Thompson, Charles Jackson February 2, 1916
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Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com July 29, 2015, 9:04 pm

St. Landry Clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, February 05, 1916, Image 1

JACK THOMPSON DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

SUPERINTENDENT OF ST. LANDRY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXPIRES AT BEAUMONT, TEXAS AND IS 
BURIED IN OPELOUSAS

C. J. Thompson, one of the most public spirited citizens Opelousas has ever 
had, who had successes and reverses, for many years superintendent of the St. 
Landry public schools, expired at Beaumont, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon, 
after an illness of several weeks. 

The news of Mr. Thompson's death came as a shock to his friends and children 
who, had only a day before received the glad tidings that he was steadily 
improving.

Mr. Thompson was a native of Opelousas, being born here over 65 years ago. He 
was the son of Charles Jackson Thompson, who for many years was constable of 
this city, and was considered one of the most thrifty and best citizens of 
Opelousas. Mr. Thompson was first married to a daughter of Henry Glase, a 
prominent planter of the Chicot section of the then parish of St. Landry; this 
first wife died shortly after they were married, after which he wedded widow 
Randall of Mobile, Ala., with whom he raised three children, Bradford, Arthur 
and Ruth, all of whom are living, the first named being a citizen of Michigan.

Mr. Thompson was a farmer, school teacher, politician and promoter. He owned 
and managed a large plantation on Bayou Boeuf in his early married life; he was 
at one time mayor of Opelousas, served as deputy sheriff and school teacher and 
finally was appointed superintendent of the St. Landry public schools.

"Big Jack," as he was familiarly known, did more for the public schools of this 
parish than any of his predecessors; he took charge of the affairs of the 
schools when this parish was probably the most illiterate in the state, when 
there were but two or three high schools and built up the schools on the 
present high standard.

Mr. Thompson did some valuable work in community uplift; he instigated the move 
for the electric light and water plant; he organized the Opelousas Compress 
Company and various other enterprises and at the time of his death was 
promoting the Opelousas Petroleum and Gas Company, which was to bore for oil in 
the Mallet neighborhood.

The deceased was always numbered among the most progressive citizens of this 
parish; he always stood for whatever move, which meant the advancement of the 
community, financially and socially and in his death Opelousas and St. Landry 
lost a valuable citizen.

The funeral ceremonies were performed at the Thompson home on Unio street and 
interment made in the Protestant cemetery, where Preacher Spilliard implored 
the blessing of God upon the departed man. Several hundred friends of the 
Thompson family paid their last respects to the deceased, by attending the 
funeral and inrterment.

Additional Comments:
NOTE; Charles Jackson Thompson is buried at the Myrtle Grove Cemetery located in 
Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, LA.

www.findagrave.com memorial # 96541329

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