John Vernon Thompson
Ava, MO

John Vernon Thompson, 57 years, passed away on June 6, 2010 at his home in Ava, MO from a short illness.

John was born November 19, 1952 in Madison, WV to Robert and Mary (Poe) Thompson, Sr.

John was a resident of the Ava community for most of his life. He worked as a Welder, Truck Driver, and Farm Hand. Whatever he did he worked hard at his occupation. He was an U.S. Air Force veteran and served during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany. He graduated from the Mt. Zion Bible School in Ava. He had identified with the Church of God (Holiness).

He especially enjoyed his time at Bryant Creek. He referred to it as, "the healing stream". He loved children and they loved him. He had a special bond with Ali and Laurel. The Ronnie Clouse family was like a second family to him.

John is survived by his parents, Bob and Mary Thompson, Ava, MO, three sons, Jason Thompson and fiance, Melissa, Madison, SD, Jody Thompson and wife, Racheal, and Jeffery Thompson and wife, Kelly, all of Brookings, SD, seven grandchildren, Jayden, Kaitlyn, Kayden, Justice, Isabella, Sage and Dillon, two brothers, Bob Thompson, Jr. & Cinda, Cayman Islands, Ken & Vicky Thompson, Fordland, MO, one sister, Glenna Young, Ava, MO, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for John will be Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. in the Evans Auditorium at Mt. Zion, Ava, MO with burial in the Mt. Zion Cemetery with military honors by Ava American Legion #112 and VFW #5993. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 8, 2010 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Rev. Bob Thompson, Jr., Rev. Ken Thompson and Rev. Kenneth Cowen. Memorials may be made to The Mt. Zion Bible School, Rt. 1, Box 48, Ava, MO.