Gerald Jan Thompson, Jr.

Gerald Jan Thompson, Jr., known to many as Jan, passed away on October 19, 2021, in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was born on August 1, 1965, to Mary Jean Craft and Gerald Jan Thompson, Sr. in Atlanta, GA. After just a short while there, they moved to what would become his home for life, Vesta, Georgia where Mary Jean was born and raised. Preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Alva Craft Smith, and his beloved mother-in-love, Marian Chow Remsen, Gerald will always be remembered as the man with the infectious smile and the love of his wife’s life. He is survived both by Sonja Chow Thompson, his wife of 21 years and their adorable son, August Ridge Thompson.

Gerald was a graduate of Oglethorpe County High School, class of 1983. He went on to attend Emmanuel College, and eventually graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Education. He went on to get a Master of Educational Technology from Lesley University. Vesta Baptist Church was where he grew up in his faith and found his love for music ministry, and he most recently continued pursuing his passion for music ministry at Crawford Baptist Church.

Gerald had a talent for cultivating many careers in his lifetime, but the one that undoubtedly gave him the most pride and pleasure was working as a technology teacher for Oglethorpe County High School. He was in his element with helping students learn about the subject matter, of course, but even more learning about life. He formed relationships with those students that have never ceased being a source of pleasure and reward.

His greatest accomplishment ever, though, was his final coup de grace, being a stay-at-home dad to August, his son. The love he felt for his son sustained him through everything that went on in the final days of his life. He enjoyed taking him to karate or swimming or acting or school or whatever activity August chose. His greatest desire is for August to grow to be a man of God, healthy, happy, and saved.

He leaves a huge whole in the heart of his beloved wife Sonja, their son August, and his parents, Mary Jean and Jerry. They take great comfort in knowing he is without pain and suffering and is in fact more alive and well than he has ever been.

A Celebration of Gerald’s life will be held on Sunday, October 24, at 3:00p.m. at Crawford Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Vesta Baptist Church Cemetery. Gerald will be placed in the church at 2:00p.m.

The family is at the residence in Vesta and will greet friends at Berry Funeral Home in Elberton on Saturday, October 23, from 3:00-5:00p.m.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made to the August Ridge Thompson Education Fund at any Pinnacle Bank branch.

Words of love and encouragement may be left in the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Gerald Jan Thompson, Jr.