MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR EDWARD THOMPSON, JR.
WHEREAS, Edward "Eddie" Thompson, Jr. went to his eternal resting place on August 12, 2017; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of Edward Thompson, Jr.'s passing by the Honorable Anthony A. Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Edward "Eddie" Thompson, Jr. was born on August 28, 1923, in Garyville, Louisiana. William was the eldest of two sons born to the late Louvenia Thompson and Edward Thompson, Sr. His younger brother Larry passed away before Eddie. Eddie's father died when he was only two years old; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 8, Eddie's mother sent him to live in Evanston, Illinois. Eddie graduated from Jean Baptiste Point DuSable High School in Chicago, Illinois, in 1942. His senior year he met Freida Thomas. They married on March 12, 1943. They were married for 74 years, until Eddie passed away. From this blessed union, three children were born: Janet, Edward Thompson III and Larry Thompson; and
WHEREAS, Eddie enlisted in the United States Army in June, 1943. Freida was pregnant when he began his Army service. He served with distinction in Texas, the Philippines and France during World War II. Eddie was the only member of his troop to volunteer to serve in the Philippines. He suffered a shrapnel injury during his service, but recovered; and
WHEREAS, After his release from the Army, Eddie became a streetcar driver for the Chicago Transit Authority. He then went to work at Commonwealth Edison (ComEd). He became a foreman and retired after 37 years with the company. While at ComEd, he also worked part-time at the United States Postal Service and took classes at George Williams College in Hyde Park; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Eddie signed up his son Edward III to play Little League Baseball at Tuley Park in Chicago. In 1959, he led the Tuley Park Comets to a Chicago Park District Baseball City Championship. He was the first African-American coach to win the championship, coaching the first winning African-American team. He was more than just a coach, frequently feeding players and transporting them to games; and
WHEREAS, Eddie also was active in the neighborhood block club. During his mother's illness, he was an incredible caregiver. During retirement, Eddie worked as a clerk for Northwestern University Traffic Safety School. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his family, doing crossword puzzles and playing cards; and
WHEREAS, Eddie leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Freida; daughter, Janet Walton; sons, Edward Thompson III and Larry Thompson; six grandchildren, Stefani (Jose), Desiree, Cesslar,
Ingrid (Johnathon), Natasha (Jason) and Edward IV; five great-grandchildren, Brandon, Daniel, E'Leah, Elowen and Hadassah; and a host of relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, Edward Thompson, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Louvenia and Edward Thompson, Sr.; and brother, Larry; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eleventh day of October, 2017, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Edward "Eddie" Thompson, Jr.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Edward "Eddie" Thompson, Jr. as a sign of our deepest sympathy and respect.
ANTHONY A. BEALE Alderman, 9th Ward