George F. Thompson

GEORGE FRANK THOMPSON, born December 22, 1914 in Baltimore Maryland, transcended this life on Saturday, December 14, 2013. He was the last surviving child of five brothers and one sister born to the late Edward and Emma Milburn Thompson. He was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. His early Christian education was in the Baptist faith. As a young adult he converted to Catholicism. He was a devout parishioner at the Basilica of Baltimore where you could see him every Sunday morning at the 8:00 a.m. mass ushering. He served as an usher, at the age of 98, until he was hospitalized November 2013. He left school at an early age to work. His job of 28 years at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC, was a mixologist. When he started at the club, Eisenhower was President. As head bartender, he traveled wherever the Republicans were gathering. He mixed drinks at all the Republican National Conventions and talked of serving in the Presidents’ hospitality suites at all of the conventions. While working at the club, George started collecting elephants. His famous collection of elephants, on show in the club’s first floor reception room, include all types of elephants. He mainly talked of the jade elephant given to him by one of former President Nixon’s staff members on his visit to Peking. Former President Gerald R. Ford wrote in a letter to George on his 90th birthday celebration: “I’ll always remember your wonderful collection of elephants that members of the Club gave you from around the world, which you in turn generously donated to the Capitol Hill Club upon your retirement. Your legacy of hospitality and friendship lives on for future generations to enjoy”. If you asked George why he retired he would say, “I’ve always been an admirer of a person who walks out while he is still able and people still like him.” George received mention in the Congressional Record when he retired. His retirement celebration was held in the Eisenhower Lounge of the Club. After retiring from his job at Capitol Hill, he began his job as a “servant of God”, volunteering at Our Daily Bread three days a week. This included making soup, cooking food that had been donated uncooked and making salads. In 1995, when Pope John Paul II visited Baltimore, George was highly honored to cook the meal served to the Pope. He also received Catholic Charities “Volunteer of the Year” award. George reluctantly left Our Daily Bread when they moved to the Fallsway location.George lived for a time in Washington, DC, when he worked there, but later returned to his hometown. He never married. He and his brother purchased a house on Lynhurst Avenue in the city. The door to his house was always open just waiting for a celebration to happen. Among all of his other skills and talents, George was a great cook, decorator and social entertainer. In his beautiful backyard, George hosted weddings, graduation parties, anniversaries and many holiday get togethers. From Lynhurst, George moved to the Hanover Square Apartment building which is located in eye’s view of the Inner Harbor. He kept binoculars on his window sill so he could see all of the tall ships arriving and leaving, the fireworks and the sights as people walked along the harbor. He was known and well liked by all of the tenants in the building, especially the young ladies. He would busy himself making gifts and buying treats on every special holiday to give each of the young ladies. His energy was limitless when it came to giving and sharing with others. George enjoyed spending his Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in West Virginia and New Hampshire with his friends and beloved “God” family. George's affable personality endeared him to many. His repertoire of friends cover many states, nationally and internationally. Including such acquaintances as former Presidents Gerald Ford, and George Bush, Sr., Congressman Guy Vander Jagt, and his very good friend - Peter Craske in England (who journeyed to George's 90th birthday party held in Baltimore.) George travelled extensively to locations such as England, Germany and Bermuda. He always talked about how he was fascinated by England, by the Queen and by the "quaint" houses. George took a special trip to Negril, Jamaica at the age of 88 to participate in his great niece's wedding. He lovingly announced that he wanted to see the wedding with his own eyes! George also enjoyed attending the theatre and going to breakfast at Jimmy's on Sundays after Mass. Shopping at Tuesday Morning was also a favorite outing for him. George's mind, sharp wit and humor were active still at the age of 98. George's spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of all the many friends whose paths he crossed in his lifetime. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved niece, Thelma A. Brookes who was constantly at his side; eleven other nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews; Sheila Durant, a devoted friend, along with friends James Ellison and Ernest Brooks, and a hosts of other friends.

Tributes

George F. Thompson

December 22, 1914 - December 14, 2013