JOSEPH LIPPARD THOMPSON May 12, 1932 – June 8, 2017

The loving family of Joseph Lippard Thompson, 85, of White Rock, NM, reports that he peacefully passed away in his sleep at home Thursday, June 8, 2017 from a very sudden illness of only a few days.

Born May 12, 1932 in Newport News, VA, Joe was raised in Virginia and served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant in Georgia. ​He earned a BS in Chemistry from Virginia Tech, followed by a PhD in Radiochemistry from Penn State. He taught chemistry for 17 years at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID where he raised his family.

After testing out the surroundings by working summers at Los Alamos National Labratory, he and his wife moved to Los Alamos, NM, permanently in 1981, where he continued his career as a staff member at the Lab performing important field research work.

​Joe possessed a great love of the outdoors. He was an active volunteer in the ski patrol for 22 years. He was also an avid runner and race walker who completed several marathons as well as many other races and triathlons. He loved hiking, biking, camping and canoeing. ​He was a world traveler with annual trips with his wife to interesting destinations around the globe.

​Joe was a man of great character who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. For his family, he was often the voice of reason, always providing thoughtful and sound advice. He was caring, kind and generous. He set a fine example of how to live a full and productive life.

​Proceeeded in death by his stepson Christopher Ore, he leaves behind his loving wife of 45 years, Lois Jean Thompson, former wife Sallie Wesaw, son Scott Thompson and his wife Mimi (Golden, Colo.), son Les Thompson and his wife Lori (Heber City, Utah), stepson Doug Ore and his wife Luana (Honolulu, Hawaii), daughter Melanie Thompson and her fiance Jim Rigg (Lakewood, Colo.), daughter-in-law Lin Craft (Albuquerque, NM), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous other family and friends.

​A Celebration of Life ceremony was held in Chicago on June 17 at a family reunion where Joe’s family members expressed their great love and appreciation for this wonderful person and their gratitude for his encouragement and love for all of us. If you wish, you may make a contribution in his name to a charity of your choice.