Thompson, Joe Jared

Joe Jared Thompson, 79, of Christiansburg, went to be with the Lord of his life Jesus Christ after a long battle with stomach cancer on January 30, 2022. Joe was born in Roanoke, Virginia on May 26, 1942.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Brodie and Margaret Thompson; his daughter, Meg Thompson; and his brothers, Dan and George Thompson. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Margot (Chief); his brother, Bill and wife Louise; his beloved sister-in-law, Kathy Thompson (Sis) of Houston, TX; his nephews and nieces, Dan Thompson Jr., Bill Thompson, Angie Thompson; and his beloved step-niece and step-nephews, Tam Cooper, Tim Gregory, and Ted Gregory.

Joe was a longtime member of his beloved Christiansburg Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and more. Church was family and Joe felt so blessed to have shared his faith journey with and be uplifted by this family of friends. He believed that God has blessed us with a sense of humor and that at appropriate times we should enjoy it in church as well. Joe was a joyful Christian man. In the last 4 years of his struggles with cancer, he would not go to church if he did not feel well enough to put on a smile that was his trademark.

Joe graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS I Commerce (Class of ’64). Joe had a knack for business that he demonstrated throughout his life. At the very young age of 25 he developed a business plan for a retail business that impressed a local bank to make him a loan to open his business. Seven stores and over 50 employees later he proudly and happily sold his successful business to his employees. Joe said the path to business success was not complicated, it simply was due to making is customers and employees friends.
Joe was proud to have served as director of First National Bank of Christiansburg and its successor, Stellar One Bank. He chaired a number of bank committees over the years and always felt honored to have served with so many outstanding directors and bank employees who he was proud and blessed to call very special friends.

Joe was very happy to have served on the board of directors of the non-profit Warm Hearth Retirement Community for many years, the last three of which he served as chairman of the board until his illness. Always a strategic thinker, he was impressed by the fact that
Warm Hearth was guided by a 100-year plan developed by the founder of this wonderful retirement community. As usual, Joe brought his trademark smile and sense of humor to his involvement with the talented staff and board of directors of Warm Hearth.

Years ago, Joe and his wife Margot, started a non-profit now called Dental Aid NRV. The mission of this service organization is: A. to create a culture of good dental and oral health in the New River Valley of Virginia and, B. to facilitate dental care for our NRV neighbors least able to afford these critical health services. Thanks to the many talented and generous volunteers and donors over the years, the Dental Aid NRV has and continues to provide dental health education and otherwise unaffordable oral health care for our lowest income neighbors. Joe throughout his life was guided by and motivated to live the words of the biblical command regarding “neighbors.”

One of Joe’s favorite scriptures that guided his and Margot’s life were the Matthew 25 verses. “When Lord did we see you…” Therefore in lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church with Rev. Don Makin officiating. Interment will be private.