ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: THOMPSON, JEWEL R 

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: Bagnell & Son Funeral Home, Covington, La.

Died Monday, December 13, 2010

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THOMPSON, JEWEL R 
January 28, 1932 - December 13, 2010 	

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Jewel Ray Thompson went to the hands of God on Monday, December 13, 2010 at the 
age of 78. 

Jewel was one of 13 children of Grace McIntyre Thompson and Daniel Preston 
Thompson of Ponchatoula, LA. He attended both elementary and high school in 
Ponchatoula. After high school he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, 
as an Aviator Machinist Mate 3rd Class on the Philippine Sea and Kearsarge 
Aircraft Carriers out of California. 

When returning from sea duty he entered Southeastern Louisiana University and 
was the first Industrial Arts Education Curriculum graduate. He was a teacher at 
Bayou Lacombe Junior High School. Under his guidance, two of his students placed 
first at the annual state rally at L.S.U. He served as representative to STPTA 
and was designated within the school as assistant principal. 

He left teaching for a short time to work at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility on 
the Space Program which put the first man on the moon; but the classroom called 
and he returned to teaching. In 1967, he accepted a position on the faculty at 
Delgado Community College in New Orleans where he retired in 1979 as Associate 
Dean of the Trades Division. 

With summers free, Jewel was employed at Yellowstone National Park as a Forest 
Ranger, Protective Division at the Canyon area.

Jewel Ray married Jimmie Ann Berger while they were at college in 1955. They 
were married for 55 years. Two sons were produced by this love, Gregory James 
and Brian Duane Thompson, with their wives, RenatŽ and Kelly, four 
grandchildren, (Greg and RenatŽ's daughters) Britty and Valerie, and (Brian and 
Kelly's sons) Tyler and Landon, and one great grandson Gregory James Leeper.

Jewel was Past Master of Bayou Lacombe Lodge #459, F&AM and a member for over 54 
years, as well as the Knights Templar of the York Rite. He is also a member of 
the Madisonville Presbyterian Church. His hobbies included gardening, hunting, 
fishing, camping, watching football and he was noted for his carvings of 
wildfowl decoys.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at Madisonville 
Presbyterian Church, 705 Pine Street, Madisonville, LA 70447 on Saturday, 
December 18, 2010 at 10:00 am. Visitation at church from 9:00 am until service 
time.

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