Janet (Jan) Carolyn Thompson of Mt Hood, Oregon passed away Thursday, July 30th, 2015 surrounded by her family. Jan was born March 15, 1935 in Burlington, Iowa and grew up in Oquawka, Illinois. She was the only child of Eva and Ronald Dillon. She graduated from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois with a degree in Physical Education. While attending college she met her husband, Jim. Jan and Jim were married in 1960 in Monmouth. She received her Masters in School Administration from Portland State University.
Jan and Jim moved to the upper Hood River valley over 17 years ago and built a log home facing Mt Hood. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. She loved to sit on the deck and look at Mt. Hood and the beautiful sunsets. She enjoyed working in her yard and flowers and for many years had a large vegetable garden. Jan enjoyed staying active and exercising with friends. Before she had both knees replaced, she enjoyed downhill skiing for many years.
Jan loved her family, including her grandchildren and was always ready to share stories of their successes. Jan enjoyed sewing for all of her children and grandchildren and provided outfits for them for special occasions. She also was an avid Portland Trailblazer fan and could tell you everything about current and past players!
Jan was a lifelong educator, she taught school for over 50 years in Pennsylvania, California, Idaho, and Oregon. Jan was primarily a PE teacher, but also a drug and alcohol administrator. In Idaho, she coached the Tigerettes Drill Team and was so very proud when they performed at the Calgary Stampede. In California, she was Co-Athletic Director and Department Chair for Girls PE at Prospect High School where she coached volleyball, softball, and gymnastics. She taught at Meadow Park Middle School in Beaverton, OR for 15 years where she was a PE teacher and administered the drug and alcohol program. In Hood River, she was a regular substitute teacher up until the past two years at Hood River Valley High School, Wy’east and Hood River Middle schools and Parkdale Elementary. She loved being with the kids and meeting them around town.
Jan is survived by her husband James Thompson (Jim), daughter Wendy Gray and her husband Randy and children Lauren and Sean; Ron Thompson and his wife Susan and son Braden and his wife Jalyn; and son Kevin Thompson. Jan also loved her Pomeranians, Scooter, Echo, Ozzie and Candy. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, numerous aunts and uncles, her daughter-in-law Sherry Thompson, and granddaughter Kendra Thompson.
A celebration of Jan’s life will be hosted at the Thompsons home at 5950 Lauren Road in Mt Hood, Thursday, August 6th from 2-5 p.m. The family requests no flowers, but donations may be made in her name to the Hood River County Education Foundation to establish a music scholarship in care of Andersons Tribute Center (www.andersonstributecenter.com).
Arrangements under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.