Michael Eugene Thompson
Michael Eugene Thompson, age 76, passed away on May 5, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Born on August 27, 1949, Michael dedicated much of his life to service—first to his country and later to his community. A Vietnam War veteran, he proudly served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant. During his military career, he spent 11 years as a Training Instructor (TI) at Lackland Air Force Base, a role that reflected his natural ability to mentor, teach, and lead others.
Following his retirement from military service, Michael continued his passion for education and leadership in Texas. Over the course of his second career, he served as an Elementary School Teacher and Junior High School Teacher in Sabinal, Texas; Middle School Vice Principal and Elementary School Principal in Uvalde, Texas; and ultimately as School District Superintendent in Knippa, Texas. His commitment to education and helping young people left a lasting impact on the many students, educators, and communities he served.
Michael was a family-first man, a thoughtful and curious person who valued critical thinking and meaningful conversation. He held a lifelong interest in politics, history, and the supernatural, and enjoyed exploring the ideas and mysteries that shaped the world around him. Above all, he deeply loved his family and cherished his role as a husband, father, and grandfather.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, James and Maxine Thompson.
He is survived by his beloved wife of many years, Janet Thompson (née Eswine); his children, Brandon, Mariana, Matthew, Christopher, and Michael (known to many as Eric); his sisters, Linda Rogers and Nancy Tripp; his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly; and extended family and friends who will miss him greatly.
Services will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
Additional service information will be shared by the family when arrangements are finalized.
May his memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved him.
I only knew Mike for a short time. I was thankful to get introduced through Holly and Matt. Mike was a great inspiration and a friend. Prayers and love to those he loved.
Mike was greatly loved by the family, he will be missed by all of us. He was such a gentle sole, and a great listener to all the family craziness. What a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Jan and Brandon, Matt, Mariana, Eric, and Chris will always be in our prayers! Love 💕 to all who will miss this wonderful man.
Mike has always been special to me.
He always made me feel special when he was dating Jan. He included Dorothy and I in trips to the library.
I know Mike’s favorite memory is of Dorothy and I being behind the sofa at the house on O’Neill. They were dating. and were sitting on the sofa.Jan kept telling us both to go to bed and the more Jan told us to go to bed, the more we snickered. Mike said he didn’t know if he laughed at the prank of a seven and nine year-old or at the irritation of their 19-year-old sister.
They would marry the following year, and I was blessed to be their flower girl and make my first communion in their wedding. After they moved back to St. Louis, we were able to share more good times together. I will never forget his kind, generous heart! 💕
Michael will be deeply missed. The best brother one could have. Kind compassionate. Loving. Dearly loved and we will meet at the river that flows from the throne one of these days
Mike will be missed. His accomplishments thought out his life speaks to the mark he left on the world and to the man he was. He was a great example to strive for as a human being.
His life was that of service. God, family and country. Mike was always easy to talk to. I can remember him saying, “How are you doing?” He was always interested in what was going on with my family.
I was always fascinated when I asked him about his time in the Air Force or his experiences being a teacher and administrator. He did have an extraordinary life. We went to see him in the hospital the day before he died. He asked about our family. What a great guy! I know he is in a better place.
Mike was my little brother and a good friend. He was a good man who loved his family. I will miss him very much. He was also a lot of fun
We had lots of laugh’s and good memories to share.Love you always little brother .
What can you say about a guy like my Uncle Mike. The best way I can put it is he was the best uncle a girl could have. He always made me feel special. He never called me by my name. That was not good enough for him. I have always been his Toots. I will miss this special person forever. There’s a special place in heaven for guys like you. Love you always and forever TOOTS.
My Dad was the best Dad anyone could ever ask for. He was also an amazing Grandfather to my kids. He always made sure that we were well and that if we ever needed anything he would help out any way he could. My Dad sacrificed so much for my brothers and I. I am beyond thankful and blessed for being able to have him as my Dad. I will always love and miss you Dad.
In the short time that I knew him, Mike made a huge, positive impression on me. His sincerity and good nature shone through. He was thoughtful, earnest, genuine, and good-natured. I was truly enriched by knowing him. If the world had more people like him, it would be a much better place. My condolences to all of his family, and may they take comfort in the sure knowledge of his life well lived.
Mike was such a great and kind and loving person. I loved him so much. He was like a brother to me.I always had such a crush on him when my sister Jan was going out with him .He was so fun to talk to teasing me and I teased him back .Enjoy when he would stay over at our dinner table with family. I couldn’t wait for the next time he be over having dinner with us. I was so glad Jan and Mike got married. I was excited to be their maid of honor. As a brother in law he always looked out for me. When my husband had to work he came and picked me up for family get-togethers. I am sad loosing such a wonderful brother in law. My last close memory at our nieces wedding. He asked me to dance with him. Our last dance. I will cherish it forever. Loved the night at the wedding setting with Jan and Mike at the reception table. I know he is in a better place but it hurts not knowing it will be the same without him in my life. Love you forever Mike till we meet again in heaven.
I was so blessed knowing cousin Mike after he and Janet moved back to St. Louis. I will always treasure our last get together cousin Sandy and Dean provided for the family. We all gathered in a circle of love telling what we were most thankful for. Mike had a cute spin on what he was thankful for. He had a great personality and generous heart filled with compassion and love. Prayers and love dear cousin. You will be deeply missed.
I was so blessed knowing cousin Mike after he and Janet moved back to St. Louis. I will always treasure our last get together cousin Sandy and Dean provided for the family. We all gathered in a circle of love telling what we were most thankful for. Mike had a cute spin on what he was thankful for. He had a great personality and generous heart filled with compassion and love. Prayers and love dear cousin. You will be deeply missed.
I have so many wonderful memories of this great man, it’s hard to put them all into words. I met Mr.T as my 5th grade teacher in Sabinal. That was also my dad’s first year teaching and he didn’t want to teach me, on account of he was afraid he would be too hard one me. So, I had Mr.Thompson. That was the year, I fell in love with reading. I think it was really just listening to him read to us. I could listen to his voice all day. He has such a soothing voice. Mr.T became good friends with my dad and he became a constant in my life. He was my 7th and 8th grade ELAR teacher, and made me read books out loud with cuss words on the page, knowing full well I wouldn’t read them out loud. He would just laugh and tell me “Bradie, that’s not what that says.”. He later was on our school board and handed me my HS diploma. Little did ai know that my 5th grade teacher would a few years later become my first superintendent and principal. He hired me for my first teaching job! Mr.T, hands down will hold the record of greatest boss ever… I was blessed. He and Jan also delayed their trip to attend my wedding. He has already told me he wouldn’t make it and when I saw him, he said, ” no way could I miss your wedding.”. He was at the hospital checking on me when I had my babies, and when my dad got sick, he flew from St. Louis and stayed in San Antonio for a week and visited with my dad to give my mom a chance to catch her breath. Mr.Thompson has always been like a 2nd Dad to me and I have loved him so very much. I was blessed to be the kid that grew up to be a friend to her 5th grade teacher, to learn just how fascinating reading is, and how to guide others to enjoy it too. Mr.T, I will miss our texts, phone calls to catch up. Give my dad a big ole hug and remember… I love you gobs! ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. We married a week apart in April 1968. We always enjoyed our visits. The last was in 2004 when you stopped in Tenn. for a short visit. Still remember Lisa’s quip about a giraffe lost from a zoo while we were eating dinner.
Love and prayers are with all of you.
Cousin Anne