VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/16/18)—Rev. Dr. Fred W. Thompson Jr., former associate general secretary for Regional Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA, died on February 13, 2018, in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Thompson devoted his life to the ministry of the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region and American Baptist Churches USA, and was active in local, regional, and national arenas of American Baptist life.

Thompson served as Associate General Secretary for Regional Ministries at the American Baptist Churches Mission Center in Valley Forge, Penn., from 1995 until his retirement in January 2003. Prior to this call, he served from 1982-1995 as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region. He also served the region for five years as associate executive minister, and as an area minister for 11 years.

Previously he was pastor of the South Broadway Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Kan., and was the campus minister at the Pittsburgh State University. He also served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Oxford, Kan.

Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan., received B.D. and M.Th. degrees from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kan., and later earned the Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill. During college and seminary, Thompson served three churches in Kan.: the Green Valley Baptist Church in Osawatomie; the First Baptist Church of Walnut; and the First Baptist Church of Bronson. He later served as the alumni president for both Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Ottawa University.

Thompson was born August 1, 1932 in Durant, OK to Fred Weldon Thompson Sr. and Mauvolyn Thompson. Fred Jr. had a younger brother Howard Thompson who predeceased him.

Thompson and his wife, Lois, moved to Toledo from Overland Park, Kan. in June 2017 to be near their daughters Alicia Tremmel and Penny Thompson Kruse. He is survived by his wife, Lois; daughter Alicia Ann Tremmel and husband Michael Tremmel of Norton, Ohio; daughter Penny Sue Kruse and husband Steven Kruse of Perrysburg, Ohio; grandchildren Emily Michelle Tremmel and Collin Gregory Tremmel; great grandson Carter Lee Lambert; and niece Nancy Twillman. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 19, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sunset House 4020 Indian Rd., Toledo, Ohio 43606.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.