J. ROBERT THOMPSON

1937-2021

J. Robert Thompson Bob was born August 19, 1937 in Sioux City, Iowa to James Foster Thompson and Gertrude Alice Avery Thompson. He has four sisters – Sally Casler, Karen Simmons, and two younger sisters, Kathy Hunzelman and Sheila Pick. He was preceded in death by 2 of his sisters Sally and Karen, as well as his mom, father, and stepmother Lydia Heinle Thompson. He is survived by his wife Jane, son Jay and his two children, Robert Foster and Ann Elizabeth and his daughter Jill, and her husband Steve Flowers, and their two children Matthew Steven and Ryan James.

He graduated from Sioux City Central High School in 1956 and intended to enter into the ministry at Yankton Theological Seminary. While earning money for college at a Del Monte corn and pea canning factory in Arlington Wisconsin, he met and fell in love with his wife of 60 years, Jane Tomlinson. He changed his mind about the ministry and decided to Follow Jane to North Dakota State University where he received a B.S. in Economics and Communications in 1960 then went onto the University of Iowa for a Master’s in Public Relations and Journalism in 1961.

After spending two years in the Fourth Armor Division in Germany as an information officer during the Berlin Wall Crisis . Bob and Jane left the military in 1963 and returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he worked as a political public relations consultant. In 1964, Jane and Bob then moved to Duluth, Minn. where he worked for Litton Industries. Texas Instruments in Houston, then hired Bob in 1966 as a human resources and employment expert in finding technology scientists for the electronics industry.

Bob started his staffing company, J. Robert Thompson Companies in August in 1968. It grew to be a successful Professional Placement Company. He was even president of the National Personnel Association, NPA, which provided many travel opportunities for Bob and Jane and many wonderful friendships. In the early 1980’s Bob’s company grew to include Technical Staffing and Management to become one of Houston’s leading temporary staffing firms and focused on technology manufacturing and design. When their businesses sold in 1995, he and his partners had 1,000 employees working for them every day in Houston, Austin, and communities close to these cities.

Bob and Jane loved Texas and having their kids and grandkids relatively close by. They were very active in their churches and supporting community activities and organizations. Bob loved and was highly active in the First United Methodist Church, Missouri City and always felt HIS presence when following his faith there.

Bob and Jane bought their lot in Quail Valley, in Missouri City in October 1969 and moved there in 1973. Both have been continually involved in the community. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed marshalling, and was blessed to have a hole-in-one, three times in his life, the last after age 80 in 2019. He was also a part 12-man committee that went to Austin to convince the legislature to “Save Quail Valley Country Club.” It has since been incorporated into the green space of Missouri City by eminent domain and is now available to all of Missouri City citizens to enjoy.

For many years, every other Wednesday night he and six or seven others practiced “Ole Men’s quarter to one-dollar poker.” They called themselves “The Greatest Poker Group in the World.” There was no such thing as “all in…” Well … maybe Bob just “pushed in all” in, just now.

He was almost always positive and loved all unconditionally. He really has a special love for Jane, Jay, and Jill and their families. He will be listening for your calling….

The family has planned a Memorial Service to be held at 10 AM, Monday, March 22, 2021 at First United Methodist Church of Missouri City at 3900 Lexington Blvd, Missouri City, TX, 77459 followed by a Veteran’s Memorial burial at DavisGreenlawn Cemetery, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd, Rosenburg TX 77471.

For a more extensive Obituary please refer to the DavisGreenlawnFH.com Website. In Lieu of flowers, or to express sympathy or Honor Bob, the family requests that donations be made In Memorial of J. Robert “Bob” Thompson to First United Methodist Church of Missouri City, TX 77459.