In Memoriam: Rev. Donald R. Thompson
We pray for the family and friends of Donald R. Thompson, who died December 9, 2024
The Celebration of Life for Love of Christ Lutheran Church Founding Pastor, Donald R. Thompson, will be Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10AM in the Center of Compassion (1525 N. Power Road Mesa, AZ 85205).
The Rev. Donald R. Thompson, known to many as Don, was born on December 27, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Earl and Ann Thompson. The youngest of three brothers, Don’s father asked his brothers to choose names for the baby. Earl, being the oldest, picked Donald as the first name. Dave picked Richard as his middle name. Don was predeceased by Earl and is survived by his brother David, who resides in Hawaii.
Don graduated in 1964 from Upper Marion High School. His teachers told his parents he was a slow learner and would not succeed in an academic setting. Don got a job at a gear cutting machine plant. One morning Don told his mother that he felt a calling to become a youth minister. With the encouragement of his pastor at Upper Marion Baptist Church, Pastor Tony Campolo, he went to prep school at Temple University in Philadelphia. He later learned that he was dyslexic, which was why school was always such a challenge for him.
Don got into Sioux Falls Baptist College in South Dakota. He later transferred to Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. Don graduated from Campbell University, where he was known for his boundless energy and athleticism. He went on to earn a master’s in Christian education from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His vibrant and magnetic personality made him a natural leader, drawing people from all walks of life into his orbit with his inclusivity and compassion.
On December 29, 1968, he married the love of his life, Linda Parker. When Don graduated from Southern Baptist Seminary, Don was told if he was going to become a Baptist pastor, his wife Linda must become Baptist. He explained that she was a lifelong Lutheran, her father was a Lutheran pastor, and he was not going to ask her to change so he quit being a Southern Baptist.
In 1971, after prayerful consideration, Don answered a call to serve as Minister of Youth and Christian Education at First Lutheran Church in Newton, Iowa. In 1975, he moved with his growing family to Phoenix, Arizona, where he joined the staff of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. There, he expanded the church’s youth and Christian education programs, launched a thriving singles’ ministry, developed and taught a curriculum for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and played a key role in resettling Vietnamese refugee families—a testament to his deep sense of generosity and global compassion.
Don’s determination and vision for service led him to pursue his Master of Divinity at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He was ordained on May 8, 1983, at Shepherd of the Valley. Shortly thereafter, in 1985, Don embraced a bold new mission: to establish and grow a Lutheran congregation in Mesa, Arizona. With tireless energy and his trademark magnetic presence, he knocked on countless doors, inviting neighbors to worship at what would become Love of Christ Lutheran Church. The congregation initially met at Fremont Junior High School until the church’s sanctuary and Sunday school wing were built and dedicated. Don served as Senior Pastor of Love of Christ until his retirement in June 2009.
Don’s ministry was characterized by a remarkable blend of local and global outreach. He saw the church as a “kitchen”—a place to prepare and equip members to go out and serve those in need. He organized 23 years of Vacation Bible School programs on the Navajo Reservation, led mission trips to South Africa to build homes for orphans of the AIDS pandemic, and traveled three times to Ukraine to establish computer systems for classrooms. He also facilitated cultural exchanges, organizing tours for the Ukrainian symphony orchestra and choir to perform in the United States. Locally, Don collaborated with various religious and community leaders, including an Episcopal priest in Eureka, Montana, to foster unity and service across communities.
His benevolent spirit inspired everyone he encountered—from the families in his congregation to those impacted by his global mission work. Don used worship and music programs to bring that spirit to life and helped author a new contemporary liturgical setting which was published to inspire new generations of worshippers.
In addition to his pastoral achievements, Don was a dedicated community activist. He served for six years as a Maricopa County Parks Commissioner, advocating for the conservation of Arizona’s natural landscapes. Through his efforts, he played a pivotal role in preventing disruptive development and securing land for parks such as Usery Mountain, White Tank Mountain, and Lake Pleasant. His work helped preserve Arizona’s natural beauty for future generations.
Don’s personal interests showcased his curious and determined spirit. He was an avid history buff who enjoyed digging for old glass bottles, marveling at the stories they held. He loved tinkering and restoring cars, finding joy in bringing new life to forgotten treasures. A talented and passionate coach, he shared his love of soccer with youth in his community, inspiring teamwork and perseverance.
Despite battling Parkinson’s Disease in his later years, Don remained steadfast in his love for life, family, and faith. He cherished time with his loved ones, finding solace in worship and the beauty of the desert landscape he worked so tirelessly to protect.
Don passed peacefully with his beloved wife Linda by his side on Monday, December 9, 2024. He is survived by Linda, his loving partner of 56 years; his four sons, Nathan, Moses, Micah, and Isaac, along with their spouses and his six grandchildren. His legacy of energetic service, inclusive love, and compassionate leadership will forever inspire those who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rev. Don Thompson Legacy Fund at Love of Christ Lutheran Church is encouraged. Thank you.
“O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother, Donald R. Thompson. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.”