Jerry Allan Thompson, 85, passed away Jan. 1, 2026, at StoneBridge Senior Living in Owensville.
He was born Aug. 19, 1940, son of the late William Stanley and Margaret Winter Thompson, in St. Louis.
He was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ and lived in Owensville most of his life.
With a work ethic like no other, Jerry began mowing lawns and bagging groceries at the age of 12 years old. After completing mortuary school in Houston, Texas in 1960, he worked at both Winter’s Home Furnishings in the furniture and floor covering business and at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home. Jerry would later go on to purchase Winter’s Home Furnishings in 1970 and Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in 1983. He retired in 2005 after 45 years in the funeral business.
Jerry always took great pride in his service to his community and the fact that both Winter’s Home Furnishings and Gottenstroeter Funeral Home continue to be successfully run, family-owned and -operated businesses.
He served 35 years on the Legends Bank Advisory Board.
With a propensity to stay busy and active, Jerry loved to travel, hunt and fish. He took great pride in his gun collection and the art of making his own ammunition. Target shooting was a weekly activity that he enjoyed with family and friends.
Jerry was also a boat and automobile enthusiast, loved being on the water, and enjoyed photography. He enjoyed caring for his flowers and spent hours manicuring his lawn at home and working on various projects at his farm. Jerry loved music, and his singing voice was second to none.
A friend to all, he never met a stranger and was well known and respected throughout the community. With countless life-long friends, and affectionately called “Ajax” by many, Jerry enjoyed socializing, eating out on a regular basis and attending Saturday night Dance Club in St. Louis.
He was preceded in death by parents, William and Margaret; and son, Kurt Allan Thompson.
Jerry is survived wife of 36 years, Linda; sister, Nancy Thompson Rooney and husband Michael; and brother, Mark Thompson and wife Theresa.
In 1959 he was united in marriage to Avery Cordill and had four children, Stephen Thompson and wife Patricia, Kurt Allan Thompson, Dana Thompson Garrett and husband Danny and Michael Thompson and wife Lori. He was remarried in 1970 to Rowena Copeland and gained two stepsons, Rob Copeland and wife Lesley and Rick Copeland.
In 1990, when Jerry married Linda Honza, he gained three stepdaughters, Jennifer Honza Menzel and husband Scott, Dena Honza Schaefer and husband Matthew and Tara Honza Kopp and husband Jason.
Over the years, as four children became nine, he was blessed with 17 grandchildren, Heather Schlottach and husband Martin, Kelly Wright and husband Dan, Kurtis Lansford and wife Stacey, Lauren Garrett, Katelyn Garrett-Meador and husband Jeremy, Jake Thompson, Marissa Copeland Heidbrink and husband Brad, Trevor Copeland and wife Melissa, Jay Copeland, Drew Copeland Crider and husband Hayden, Carly Copeland, Dori and Emily Menzel, Andrew and Joshua Schafer, Charlotte and Alan Kopp; as well as 16 great-grandchildren.
He instilled his work ethic in all of his kids and was proud of his children and grandchildren, often boasting that they were all happy, healthy and successful in life.
Funeral services were held (today) Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home Chapel in Owensville with Pastor Les Dority officiating. Entombment was in Gottenstroeter Mausoleum.
Arrangements entrusted to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville.
