Gerald Lee Thompson

Gerald Lee Thompson

70, of Indianapolis, passed away at home in the arms of his wife on February 22, 2016, free of the misery of ALS.
Jerry was born in Swea City, IA to Wayne and Marrian Thompson on March 16, 1945. He was raised on the family farm, learning the value of hard work and love of outdoors, which stayed with him throughout life.
He played a variety of sports in high school and loved singing from a young age. He always wanted to be a scientist, first in physics, then in chemistry with encouragement from a professor. Graduating with honors from Iowa State University, Jerry earned his B.S. degree in Chemistry. He went on to The Ohio State University where he did his doctoral research in the laboratories of Leo Paquette. After completing postdoctoral research with Nobel Laureate E.J. Corey at Harvard University, Jerry began his successful 30-year career with Eli Lilly and Company. He initially worked in the Medicinal Chemistry Division preparing novel compounds designed to exhibit anticancer activities. He holds several patents for these drugs, and one drug was chosen to study for clinical trials. After earning a promotion for his scientific accomplishments, Jerry began a series of leadership assignments with increasing responsibilities in Cancer/Virology Research, Biotechnology, Toxicology, Chemical Process Research and Development and as the Alimta® Product Team Leader. At his retirement in 2004, he was Director of Global Chemical Process Research and Development, traveling to oversee Lilly’s facilities in Belgium, England, Germany and Ireland. Jerry was well regarded for his strong work ethic, high personal standards and respect for people though-out his career.
Jerry married Caryl Larsen and sons Eric, Neil, and Luke were born in Columbus, Boston, and Indianapolis as Jerry’s career path changed.
Jerry met Jean Miller at Lilly where both were chemists working on anti-cancer drugs. They married in 1990 after a long friendship. Last year they celebrated 25 wonderful years of marriage. Daughter Lauren was born in 1991. Jerry and Jean enjoyed many hobbies together including travels starting with their honeymoon in the Far East, travels to four continents together or road trips in the US, camping, skiing many locations, water sports on Geist or just twilight cruise picnics, being outdoors, museums, concerts and art, music and were truly best friends.
Jerry was intense in his pursuit of the things that interested him, whether it was studying many branches of science (especially astronomy, microbiology, horticulture) or golf or theology or music or art. He was a Renaissance man with knowledge in many areas. One of his passions was growing Japanese maples, rhododendrons and azaleas, and dwarf conifers. At peak (before recent seasons of bad weather), their small Geist yard held over 250 different varieties of Japanese maples, over 250 different varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, and countless different dwarf conifers. He planted them all himself and used his love of art in creating a masterpiece. The yard was a beautiful garden of amazing color three seasons of the year. Jerry went to a Master Gardener’s class, but got a perfect score on the pre-test.
After retirement, he decided to pursue his interest in art, and started a drawing class at the Indianapolis Art Center. His interest was more in glass and next he started classes in glass-blowing and again found a new passion. Jerry was continually trying to improve his skills, do more difficult pieces and new designs. He also studied at the Chicago Art Institute’s Oxbow School of Art and Corning Museum of Glass in New York, studying with national and international experts. When he was happiest was the many hours he spent glass-blowing or volunteering or assisting other glass-blowers at the Indianapolis Art Center. Jerry won several awards for his art. Some of his glass may be viewed at jerrythompsonglass.com. When he became disabled from ALS, the Art Center offered to let him continue to design glass and have it blown in collaboration by head of the glass program, Ben Johnson, and assistants Yuri, Katie and Justis. We will always be grateful to them for providing this opportunity for the last 20 months.
Jerry was strong in faith and a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for 42 years and on the Church Council several years, including a role as president. Jerry had a beautiful tenor voice, deep knowledge of classical music, and was in the Bethlehem choir for 40 years, as well as guest member of St Luke’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for Christmas concert and choir tour of Italy.
Far above all was Jerry’s love and devotion to his family. He was so proud of his children’s accomplishments and the good people they have grown into, and derived so much happiness from playing with his grandchildren.
He is survived and deeply missed by his wife Dr Jean Miller Thompson, children Dr Eric Thompson (Kiva) and Neil Thompson (Talia) of Denver, Dr Luke Thompson of San Diego, and Lauren Thompson, currently in school at William Woods University. He is also survived by his grandchildren Nola, Ian, Will and Myra, father Wayne Thompson, brother Robert (Martha) Thompson and sister Kris Thompson Anderson and nieces and nephew Heather Grayson (Brock), William and Rachel Thompson and former wife Caryl Thompson (Donald Orr). He is preceded in death by his mother Marrian Thompson.
Jerry's ALS progressed rapidly, but he faced it with calm courage and never lost his sense of humor, brilliant mind, or love for his family. He never complained.
The family would like to express deepest gratitude and love to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and other individuals who have contributed to Jerry and Jean’s care over the last two years and to hospice RNs and Aides especially Darryl, Theresa, Candi and Rippy and all the therapists and helpers; to our taxi driver Darren Gray for getting us out of the house. Words cannot express our gratitude to our caregiver Godfrey Nkosi who indeed was a gift from God and we feel that Jerry’s longer survival and happiness was due to Godfrey’s compassionate care.
Visitation will be on Saturday, February 27th, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Flanner and Buchanan-Geist, 7855 Cork Rd, Indianapolis where some of Jerry’s glass will be displayed. Additional visitation will be also on Saturday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 526 E 52nd St, Indianapolis from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with funeral service to begin at 3:00 p.m. Donations may be made to 1) the Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E 67th St, Indianapolis , 2)the ALS Association, 3) the Steve Gleason Foundation (teamgleason.org) who provided Jerry’s eye-gaze computer which allowed him to communicate, or 4)to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Love conquers all.