John Joseph Thompson, Jr "Jay" passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2021 after a courageous fight with COVID.  Jay is survived by his wife of 26 years, Joanna Visely Thompson, his daughter, Cortney Len Thompson Miller, and his granddaughter, Brianna Elizabeth Miller, all of Springfield.   Jay is also survived by his parents John and Deborah Thompson, his sister Roxanne Thompson Miller, and nephews Michael and Matthew Miller, in-laws John and Leslie Visely and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins

Jay was born in La Plata Maryland Hospital on 28 November 1972 and was raised on a tobacco farm from 1972 until 1975, when his dad went back on active duty in the Air Force. Jay then moved to Texas, Louisiana and back to the farm in 1981.  He attended Port Tobacco Elementary School from third grade through fifth grade.  He then attended Milton Somers Middle school in La Plata, Maryland.  Jay graduated from McDonough High School in Pomfret, Maryland in 1990.

Jay worked on the tobacco farm for his parents, grandparents (Nelson and Martha Thompson) and Uncle Floyd until he joined the Air Force.  During tobacco season, Robbie and Adam, his cousins, worked cutting, spearing and hanging tobacco in the barn.  Sometimes these three teenagers would be caught goofing off and having fun instead of working.  Jay's dad didn't take this lightly and the boys got in trouble.

As a child, Jay spent several weeks a year visiting his uncles, aunts and cousins at their homes in Rincon, Georgia.  His grandparents, Lester and Margaret Lowe, lived nearby in Savannah.  Jay was all about family and friends and loved to spend time with them.

Jay joined the Air Force during Desert Storm in October 1990 and was assigned to basic training in San Antonio, Texas.  The Air Force sent Jay to Electronics Communication school at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. After school, Jay was stationed at Andrews AFB in Maryland.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Jay and Joanna, who dated for 8 years, got married on 29 July 1995. Jay got a job in Savannah, Georgia with the Georgia State Government so they packed their belongings and moved to Rincon, Georgia. Jay and Joanna became parents to their only child, Cortney, in May 1996.

Jay worked for Windstream Communications in Springfield for many years but most recently was employed by Southern Company, Georgia Power as a computer technician.

Jay was a soft-spoken guy who loved to laugh but most importantly Jay loved his family.  He took great pride in taking care of his family and he will be missed every single day.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the funeral home followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. in the chapel.

Masks are required for those in attendance.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be given to Catie's Fund, www.curechildhoodcancer.org

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel, 2460 Hwy. 21 S., Rincon, GA 31326. 912-754-6421