John Maurice Thompson

John Maurice Thompson was born on January 8, 1940 to Lillian and Maurice Thompson in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ann Thompson, his son John Jr., his daughters Amy and Julie, and his granddaughter, Carena. John was a long distance runner at Nebraska University, and taught Physical Education at Campus Middle Unit. After retiring, he worked as a bus driver for Allied Jewish Retirement Community, where he was known as ""Saint John."" He was a doting grandfather, a devoted husband, caring father and loyal friend. He passed away on May 13, 2011. John wrote the following a few months before he passed away. What Lies Ahead Do you ever think, ""What lies ahead,"" or do you really care? I sometimes wonder what this really means. As I enter my 71st year, my thoughts and actions have changed a lot from when I was younger. There are two things that never would have occurred to me when I was young: accept things and people as they are, and do not judge others. We all make mistakes in our lives, and it is not fair to judge someone for making those mistakes. Why is that so hard to do? We all know how easy it is to judge another person and to talk about them to others, especially when that person is not present and is unable to defend their own actions. Do we know how this would make that person feel? I think we do. Who are we to judge? No one is perfect. If we could only accept others as they are - no one is without faults. If we believe this is what Jesus taught, we cannot judge others anymore. Jesus was without sins and faults. We are not. We can only be aware of our own tendency to judge and our eagerness to put down others and ask for God's forgiveness when we do. Jesus accepted everyone as equal. He looked into their eyes and loved them for who and what they were. He didn't judge them or their past. He accepted them as they were at that moment. A Funeral Mass for John will be held at 11 o'clock in the morning, on Friday, May 27, 2011 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 19099 East Floyd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John's name to the Aurora Mental Health Center, 11059 E. Bethany Drive, #200, Aurora, CO 80014. Please share memories and leave condolences with John's family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" link.