In Memory Of
John Alan Thomson
1950
2019
John Alan Thomson
January 14, 1950 — November 25, 2019
John Alan Thomson, after a long and distinguished career in journalism, passed away peacefully at his Kettering home November 25, 2019.
John was born Jan. 14, 1950 in Elkins, West Virginia and grew up in Tampa, Florida.
He graduated from the University of South Florida before embarking on a varied career in the newspaper business. He came to Dayton in November 1989 to assume a position as Assistant Managing Editor at the Dayton Daily News. He successfully led a talented team of people who helped the paper win numerous state and national awards in newspaper design. He led an effort to recruit young minority journalists and mentored them as they progressed in their careers. His life and work touched many people. Passions in his life included becoming a sophisticated authority on fine wines, being an accomplished bicyclist and a discerning student of history.
John was preceded in death by his parents John Russell and Marilyn Thomson, sister Lesley Thomson and nephew Shawn Brown. He is survived by sister Lynn Brown and her husband Jim, nephew Rob Brown and special friends Barbara, Chuck, Marjo and Steve.
A celebration of John's spirit soaring free from a failed body will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to The Poynter Institute for Media Studies: https://www.poynter.org/support/ Arrangements are by Newcomer Funeral Home.
To share your memories of John or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click Share Memories.
John was born Jan. 14, 1950 in Elkins, West Virginia and grew up in Tampa, Florida.
He graduated from the University of South Florida before embarking on a varied career in the newspaper business. He came to Dayton in November 1989 to assume a position as Assistant Managing Editor at the Dayton Daily News. He successfully led a talented team of people who helped the paper win numerous state and national awards in newspaper design. He led an effort to recruit young minority journalists and mentored them as they progressed in their careers. His life and work touched many people. Passions in his life included becoming a sophisticated authority on fine wines, being an accomplished bicyclist and a discerning student of history.
John was preceded in death by his parents John Russell and Marilyn Thomson, sister Lesley Thomson and nephew Shawn Brown. He is survived by sister Lynn Brown and her husband Jim, nephew Rob Brown and special friends Barbara, Chuck, Marjo and Steve.
A celebration of John's spirit soaring free from a failed body will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to The Poynter Institute for Media Studies: https://www.poynter.org/support/ Arrangements are by Newcomer Funeral Home.
To share your memories of John or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click Share Memories.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Alan Thomson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Guestbook
Visits: 12
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors