Michael
R.
Thompson
Obituary
Michael "Mike" Thompson, 76, died January 6, 2018, in Indianapolis. Mike was born February 13, 1941, in Fort Wayne to the late Paul and Lucille Albertine Thompson. He attended Saint Patrick's grade school, was a member of the 1959 class of Central Catholic High School, graduated in 1963 from Marian College, and earned a Master's in Education from Saint Francis University in 1972. He was a member of Saint Patrick's and Saint John the Baptist parishes in Fort Wayne before joining the Christ the King Parish last year following his move to Indianapolis. Mike was a dedicated educator who spent 41 years teaching students at Bishop Dwenger that geometry, trig, statistics, and computers are fun. He was also the director of plays and musicals for 31 years at the school. His love of the theater was evident from his role as a founding member of Fort Wayne's Arena Theater as well has his over 40 years of work at the Foellinger Theater in Franke Park. A loving husband, Mike shared his life with his best friend Paula up until he took his last breath. A proud father and grandfather, he took quiet joy in the accomplishments of his family and always had time to make a batch of bread or a coffee cake, and to play cards or other games. He was a wonderful man who collected Santa Claus statuettes and showed everyone the magic of Christmas year round. Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Paula Sue (Brake) Thompson, his sons Geoff (Jennifer) Thompson of Indianapolis and Matthew (Jennifer) Thompson of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Benjamin, Caroline, Anna, Caitlin, Claire and Chloe; brothers Steve and Gerry Thompson; sisters Sandy (Tim) McClure, Barbara (Bill) Williams, and Nancy (Dave) Grone.; brother-in-law Bill Hughes. Mike's two brothers, James and Daniel and sister Helen Hughes, preceded him in death. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, January 12, 2018, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4500 Fairfield Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN, with calling one hour prior. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2018, from 5 pm to 8 pm with a rosary at 7:30 pm at the Bishop Dwenger Chapel located at 1300 E Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions be made to Bishop Dwenger High School in Mike's memory.
Services
Condolences
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An old Dwenger friend told me Mr. Thomson had passed away. I am so sorry for your lost. I was one of his students and also one of his child actors in summer threader during the summer months in Fort Wayne. I remember him stopping by the house when my grandfather died. He was funny, warm and a great teacher. I am now an engineer and have worked on various space programs to include Hubble. I owe some of my success to his teaching. Never dismiss the effect you have on others.
Paula, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I really enjoyed working with both of you CCHS ’59 classmates on the Foellinger Theatre Summer Selection Committee for several years and as a spokesperson for the Fort Wayne Area Community Band. Mike was an outstanding manager of the Theatre and we’ve missed him since he retired. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Vince & Marty LaBarbera
Paula, I am so very sorry to learn of Mr. T’s passing, my sincere sympathy to you and your family. I was so privileged to have been taught by him and directed by him in the school plays (class of ’68). He was a kind, caring and devoted man to his students. Thank you Mr. Thompson for giving me a place to fit in and the joy you brought to all of us.
Mr. Thompson, What a wonderful teacher and Director. He gave Ed,Kathy and Todd great acting opportunities, even if he asked me (Kathy) if I wanted to be the Fiddler In Fiddler on the Roof my senior year, our little joke. I was hoping for a bigger part, and of course he cast me perfectly Hodel. So long ago. I think he willed Kathy and Todd thru math classes. Otherwise I don’t think we would of passed. Mr Thompson was a wonderful ,caring man. May he rest in peace. Ed,Kathy, Todd Sandman and Pat Sandman-Bunt
Paula, my condolences. I only had the pleasure of meeting and working with Mike for a few seasons at Foellinger, but I will always remember how enjoyable he was. I sang in the choir at St. Patrick’s when his father was the organist and choir director there. That is why I was so happy to meet Mike and reminisce. He will be missed.
Dear Paula, thank you, thank you for sharing Mike with us, the first of Mr. T’s BD plays’ students, and with the hundreds (perhaps thousands) of kids who came after our class. His talent, kindness, and patience meant the world to all of us, and he, along with you, will live in all our memories for decades to come! God bless and console you and yours! I so wish I could pay my respects in person! (And I’m forever grateful he pointed me toward Marian College those many years ago!)
Michael was among the authentically nicest individuals I have ever known. Sincere condolences to the family.
Mike Thompson was not only my dad’s high school geometry teacher, but he was also mine. My wife fortunately had the chance to meet him on several occasions with me. We would always stop in his little office at Foellinger Theater before or after a concert just to say hi, and a couple times even stopped by his old house on Beaver Avenue. He was a gem, truly a one-of-a-kind individual. He was an awesome, fun-loving, and extremely witty guy. He had all kinds of funny sayings and jokes he would say all the time, like… “Do you know how to spell Geometry? F U N.” or “Do you know what the acorn says when it grows up? Gee, Om-Eh-Tree (Geometry).” I’ve used those corny lines all the time. I’m sure he is already sitting in Heaven sharing a good laugh with our Lord. I loved Mr. Thompson, and his passing is a real loss for not only the Fort Wayne community but also the entire Bishop Dwenger family. May God bless him and his family.
I was blessed to have Mike as a teacher and even more blessed to have him as a director. He was a lot of fun to be around and clearly found joy in what he did. I know he will be missed. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Geoff, Matt, his wife and all his extended family. May you find peace in your memories and know that others are thinking of you.
Dear Paula, Sorry to hear Mike’s passing. We still remember our date. If it hadn\’t been for you and Mike, we wouldn’t have had our first date. We went to the Embassy theater to see Cowboy. It was also great to see and have you guys attend our 50th anniversary celebration. Sincerely, Mike and Susie (Hammond) Miller.