Herbert Thompson Jr. (December 11, 1933 – August 16, 2006) was an American prelate of the Episcopal Church, who served as the eighth Bishop of Southern Ohio between 1992 and 2005.

The Right Reverend

Herbert Thompson Jr.

D.Min.
VIII Bishop of Southern Ohio
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseSouthern Ohio
Elected1988
In office1992–2005
PredecessorWilliam Grant Black
SuccessorThomas E. Breidenthal
Orders
Ordination1965
ConsecrationSeptember 24, 1988
by Edmond L. Browning
Personal details
Born1933
DiedAugust 16, 2006 (aged 72)
Italy
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
Spouse
Russelle Cross
(m. 1968; died 2002)
Children3
Previous post(s)Coadjutor Bishop of Southern Ohio (1988-1992)
EducationGeneral Theological Seminary
Alma materLincoln University

Early life and education edit

Thompson was born in 1933, in The Bronx, New York City, and was raised in Harlem and Fort Greene, Brooklyn. He served in the United States Air Force between 1952 and 1956. He then graduated from Lincoln University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts, and enrolled at the General Theological Seminary, graduating in 1965 with a Master of Divinity. He also graduated with a Doctor of Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in 1992, and was awarded honorary doctorates from Berkeley College, Bexley Hall, the General Theological Seminary, Kenyon College, and the Hebrew Union Theological Seminary.[1]

Ordained ministry edit

Thompson was ordained deacon and priest in 1965 for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. He then became vicar of St Gabriel's Church in Brooklyn, serving till 1971 after becoming rector of Christ Church in Bellport, New York. In 1977, he became rector of Grace Church in Jamaica, Queens, where he remained till 1988.[2] He also served as a deputy to General Convention for the Diocese of Long Island, president of the Standing Committee, a Canon of the Cathedral chapter of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, deputy to provincial synod, and executive director of Interfaith Services of Brooklyn.[3]

Bishop edit

In 1988, Thompson was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Southern Ohio, and was consecrated on September 24, 1988, by Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning. He succeeded as diocesan bishop in 1992, and retired in 2005. He died while on vacation in Italy on August 16, 2006.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Schjonberg, Mary Frances "Bishop Herbert Thompson Jr. dies in Italy", Episcopal Church, 17 August 2006. Retrieved on 15 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Southern Ohio Bishop Will Be Nominated From the Floor of General Convention". The Living Church. 214: 6. 29 June 1997.
  3. ^ "Herbert Thompson, Jr.", Episcopal Church. Retrieved on 15 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Herbert Thompson Jr., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, Dies at 72". Jet: 18. 18 September 2006.