June 29, 2025, 95, Goldsboro —-
John Wilkerson Thompson, Jr., 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Cypress Glen in Greenville, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Goldsboro on April 16, 1930, John was the son of the late John Wilkerson Thompson, Sr. and Lilla Mae Dawson Thompson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved son, James Gard Thompson; daughter-in-law, Ashley Williams Thompson; and sisters, Ann Sorrells, Dawson Nicholson, Mae Henry, and Katherine Thompson.
John “Whit” had an idyllic boyhood in Goldsboro with lots of freedom and friends: riding ponies, playing war or ball, shooting BB guns with a gang of mischievous buddies including DJ Rose, Donald Pike, Ray Bryan, Mike Pate, DC Rouse, Scott Berkeley, and many more.
John graduated from Goldsboro High School and went on to earn his BS degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1952, graduating with honors. While at State, he was active in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Army ROTC, and he lettered on the Wrestling team.
After State, John had an interesting and wide-ranging career in the textile and furniture industries, and later in project engineering. As a professional engineer, he enjoyed designing, collaborating, and implementing successful solutions for customers throughout Eastern North Carolina.
As a young man, John found joy first as a camper and then later working as a counselor at Camp Morehead, where he developed a lifelong love for the outdoors and sailing. One of his greatest pleasures was spending time on the water aboard his cherished sailboat, First Star. From cruising in the Neuse River around Oriental, exploring Shackleford Banks, to sailing all the way to Ocracoke, “JT” loved it all. It did not matter to him whether he had a delightful strong beam reach in inclement weather or ran aground on the numerous sandbars- both of which happened regularly.
A veteran of the Korean War, John served his country with honor and was deployed overseas to Korea with the Signal Corps. While in Korea, he was moved by the plight of war-torn Korean orphans, and he worked to organize and distribute clothing with the stateside help of his mom, Lilla Mae. This time deepened his commitment to service and community, a value he exemplified throughout his life.
First as an Eagle Scout and then later as Scoutmaster of Troop 2, John instilled the values of integrity, kindness, and responsibility while leading activities and expeditions. The Troop was known for innovative and pioneering projects, including exciting summer trips to the coast and the western NC Mountains. Scouting was tough, but fun. With the tremendous support of Les Barnhill, Billy Kemp, and involved parents, Troop 2 was very successful. In most ways, JT was “old school” and his philosophy was to push the boys to take significant leadership responsibility and run the Troop. His mentorship influenced a generation of boys across Wayne County to grow into thoughtful, capable, and principled men.
John was a longtime and devoted member of St. Paul Methodist Church, where he served in various leadership roles. He enjoyed singing old hymns, attending Sunday school, and he was an enthusiastic participant in the men’s bible study. His faith was a cornerstone of his life, guiding him in his service to others and in his devotion to family.
After leaving Goldsboro, John and his wife, Helen Carole, moved to Cypress Glen in Greenville, where they spent the last ten years enjoying the warmth and companionship of a vibrant community. The many friendships they formed and the exceptional care provided by the Cypress Glen staff made their years there especially meaningful and fulfilling.
Above all, John was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered for being a steadfast and positive source of encouragement, uplifting people from all walks of life with warmth and kindness. He set a superb example of meeting the challenges of life and pushing through adversity.
John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen Carole Watkins Thompson; sons, William H. “Will” Thompson and wife, Simone, and John W. “Jack” Thompson III; his grandchildren, Caitlin “Alex” Holmgren and her husband Andrew, and William Dawson Thompson; and great-grandchildren John Holmgren and Hayne Holmgren.
A service celebrating John’s life will be held on July 10 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Methodist Church. The family will greet friends following the service at the church. A private interment for the family will take place at Willow Dale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cypress Glen Scholarship Fund or the J. Bruce Thompson Trust at St. Paul Methodist Church in Goldsboro.
