Obituary of Don Thompson Jr.

 On the morning of  July 27^th DJ  and God decided that it was time for DJ to go home to be together for eternity with all his loved ones who had made that journey previously especially his grandmother Alma Henz who helped raise him for many years.

DJ was born in Tampa on November 12, 1969 to  Yvonne Henz Thompson and Don J Thompson. Sr. He was a delightful child and being an only child of “older” parents, he was doted on.

He attended kindergarten at Grace Lutheran Church and was awe struck by the beautiful stained-glass window behind the altar to which he commented “God sure has a nice place here”.

He attended St Raphael  Catholic Grade school and achieved perfect attendance, never missing a day of school. He could be mischievous however he was always kind and ready to help any of his classmates whether that was to assist  them in challenging  homework assignments  or to help improve athletic skills. DJ was an excellent soccer player and earned several trophies that celebrated his skills as a team player. He would tell you that being an altar server until he was 20 years old was his deep joy.

In his freshman year at St Petersburg Catholic Hight School DJ was diagnosed with a brain tumor unable to be surgically removed. He was treated with radiation which eradicated the tumor however over the course of the following years took a great toll . He graduated from high school at Thom Howard Academy and was awarded a plaque for great attitude and team spirit.

Despite increasing physical challenges DJ remained  upbeat and  faith filled. One time when his wheel chair was unable to enter a small chapel  and  Mom was trying to transfer him to a chair so she could  push him closer to the altar, he looked up at her and said” It’s Ok Mom , God knows where I am.” That declaration  was the essence of  DJ’s trusted relationship with God.

DJ Is survived by and will be forever missed here on earth by his parents Yvonne and Don Thompson Sr., his uncles and aunts, Bill and Jackie Henz, Chuck and Verlynn Henz, Suzanne(Henz) and Jerry Ratledge, his cousins and their families,  Billy  Henz, Tina (Lungren) Posch,  Shannon (Henz) Gibbons, Jonathan Henz, Ryan Carter, Todd Carter, and Vaughn, Brian,  Kevin & Gregg Dobalion. 

A special thank you to DJ’s Bayside Care Center ‘family” staff especially the nurses and CNA’s who have loved and cared for DJ over the past 10 years. There is a place in heaven for you and DJ will be waiting to welcome you home.

A celebration of DJ’s life will take place at Anderson McQueen Northeast Chapel at 2201 Dr. MLK Street North, St Petersburg, on Tuesday, August 4^th. Viewing 10:00 -11:00 am , Service 11:00 – 11:45 am led by Monsignor Robert Gibbons with internment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery immediately following the service.  Masks are required.

In recent months we have ended DJ’s care plan meetings at Bayside with the scripture passage that reads     Matthew 25: 35-40….” The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

With that scripture in mind we ask that your honor DJ’s memory with the gift of random acts of kindness, be that money to a charity, working at a food bank, volunteering where help is needed, saying prayers or any kindness as you discern the need. And the world will be a better place and DJ will smile.