Ivan W. Thompson 1959-2020

Ivan was born in Youngstown to the Rev. Roosevelt and Lena Mae Thompson.

He was an Army veteran who served his country as a medic for three years. He was then employed by General Motors for 28 years. Upon his retirement, he also worked as a veterinary technician for Companion Animal Clinic.

In 1984, he married his best friend, the former Avis Feagins, in Youngstown.

Ivan was a proud member of the North High Bulldogs Class of ’77. He earned his bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Wiley College, and his master’s degree in counseling from Louisiana Tech University. He was a licensed practical counselor with his own private practice, Thompson Counseling Services, and had been a consultant for many other agencies over the years, most recently with Life Matters.

Ivan, also known to many simply as “Coach,” had a passion for working with youth and coached Little League football, basketball and T-ball for many years, both in Youngstown and Shreveport. He’d been a mentor for the Volunteers of America, as well as a mentor and confidante for many other young people with whom he crossed paths.

Ivan enjoyed traveling, golfing, reading, music — especially jazz — chess, sports and animals. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He was a Mason and a past member of Toastmasters. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Ivan leaves to mourn his loss and cherish his memory, his wife Avis Thompson of Shreveport; his son, Jerome McGee of Geneva, Ohio; his parents, the Rev. Roosevelt and Lena Mae Thompson of Youngstown; his siblings, Charles (Hattie) Blackmon of Camden, Ala., Kelvin Thompson of Alpharetta, Ga., Karen Thompson of Gulfport, Miss., Glen Thompson of Jessup, Md. and Leslie Thompson of Midlothian, Texas; his mother-in-law, Venessa Foster of Shreveport; his brothers-in-law, Bruce Feagins of Centerville, Ohio and Michael (Cathy) Feagins of Clover, S.C.; his sister-in-law, Lisa (Gary) Powell of Columbus, Ohio; his very best friend, Kevin (Blonda) Poindexter of Lowellville, Ohio; and a host of nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roosevelt Sr. and Claudia Mae Thompson, and Thomas and Maggie Austin; and by his best little fur buddies, Jazzy and Snowball.

In accordance with Ivan’s wishes, his life will be celebrated at one of his favorite vacation destinations, where his ashes will be spread at a later date.

(special notice)