In Memory Of
Jerry Holley Thompson
1932
2019
Jerry Holley Thompson
March 24, 1932 — October 26, 2019
Jerry Holley Thompson, 87, died peacefully at his home on October 26th following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jerry was born on March 24th, 1932 in Old Hickory, Tennessee to Henry Kay Thompson and Juanita (Holley) Thompson. Following his graduation from DuPont High School in 1950, he enlisted in the Air Force, and was deployed to Taegu, South Korea, where he served as a Staff Sergeant, instructing pilots in the Air Force's Jet Link flight simulator. Following the Korean War, he attended college on the GI Bill, ultimately earning his Master's Degree in American History from Vanderbilt University.
In 1962, Jerry joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he began a decades-long career serving our country as a CIA agent. In 1967, he was deployed to Saigon to work undercover as an agent during the Vietnam War. For his years of service, he was awarded the Intelligence Commendation Medal from the Director of the CIA, citing his "especially commendable service, outstanding operational support, perseverance, and diligence" in carrying out his duties as an agent. For his time in Vietnam, he also received a special commendation from the CIA for "exemplary performance under conditions of extreme danger and hardship."
In June of 1959, Jerry married the love of his life, Jane Macdougall Thompson. Together, they had four daughters: Holly (Brent) Sharp, Lorna Thompson, Leslie (Dan) Pope, and Cameron Kay (Ed) Moore. He and Jane were blessed with six grandchildren: Allison, Aaron, Elaine, Amanda, Kelley, and William. Jerry also leaves a brother, Jim (Becky) Thompson, and a sister Anita (Gerald) Purvis. He was preceded in death by two brothers, L.K. Thompson and Thomas Thompson.
Jerry was a passionate genealogist, tracing his family's heritage back to the 1500s. He was also a true lover of nature, and particularly enjoyed walking his beloved dogs. Jerry was a man of great courage, character, and integrity. He deeply loved his family, and the United States of America. He will be dearly missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the DuPont High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 68, Old Hickory, TN 37138.
To leave a special message for his family or to share a memory of Jerry, please click on the "Share Memories" tab above or scroll down below.
In 1962, Jerry joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he began a decades-long career serving our country as a CIA agent. In 1967, he was deployed to Saigon to work undercover as an agent during the Vietnam War. For his years of service, he was awarded the Intelligence Commendation Medal from the Director of the CIA, citing his "especially commendable service, outstanding operational support, perseverance, and diligence" in carrying out his duties as an agent. For his time in Vietnam, he also received a special commendation from the CIA for "exemplary performance under conditions of extreme danger and hardship."
In June of 1959, Jerry married the love of his life, Jane Macdougall Thompson. Together, they had four daughters: Holly (Brent) Sharp, Lorna Thompson, Leslie (Dan) Pope, and Cameron Kay (Ed) Moore. He and Jane were blessed with six grandchildren: Allison, Aaron, Elaine, Amanda, Kelley, and William. Jerry also leaves a brother, Jim (Becky) Thompson, and a sister Anita (Gerald) Purvis. He was preceded in death by two brothers, L.K. Thompson and Thomas Thompson.
Jerry was a passionate genealogist, tracing his family's heritage back to the 1500s. He was also a true lover of nature, and particularly enjoyed walking his beloved dogs. Jerry was a man of great courage, character, and integrity. He deeply loved his family, and the United States of America. He will be dearly missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the DuPont High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 68, Old Hickory, TN 37138.
To leave a special message for his family or to share a memory of Jerry, please click on the "Share Memories" tab above or scroll down below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerry Holley Thompson, please visit our flower store.
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