LTC Clark Jackson Thompson, age 83, of Dahlonega passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

LTC Thompson was born in Macon, GA on February 9, 1938 to the late C.J. and Juanita Powell Thompson. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. LTC Thompson served his country honorably in the United States Army. His service began in 1960 when he graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Political Science. Mr. Thompson was drafted and served two years as a radio-teletype operator while serving in West Germany. In 1964 he received a Direct Commission in Armor and served three years in Germany with the 3rd and 4th Armored Divisions as a tank Platoon Leader, Battalion and Brigade logistics officer, Aide-de-Camp and Company Commander.

In 1968 Captain Thompson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment in Viet Nam where he served as the S1, S3 Air, S4 and D Company Commander. The second part of his tour was as the Assistant S2 for the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

Later assignments included instructor duty at the JFK Institute for Military Assistance, Action Officer at the Joint Chiefs of Staff-J5, and Operations Officer for INSCOM Detachment O. This organization is responsible for Army overt collection of intelligence.

Major Thompson was also assigned as the Deputy Commander, United Nations Tunnel Neutralization Team searching for North Korean infiltration tunnels across the DMZ. In this capacity he worked closely with the South Korean Army and U.S. National Academy of Science. Next came a tour on the staff with the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps.

LTC Thompson's final assignment as a Regular Army Officer with 20 years of service was with INSCOM's OPSEC (Counter Intelligence) Division as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (acting). He received his Masters Degree from Mississippi State University, completed the Military Intelligence Career Course, a nd Command and General Staff College and Management seminars from the Wharton College of Business and then attended the University of Pennsylvania.

LTC Thompson's Military awards include: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, 3 Army Commendation Medals, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Defense Medal, U.S. Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnamese Staff Service Medal.

Service and honor continued to run in the heart of LTC Thompson. He moved to Lumpkin in 2000. He served as Vice Chairman, Lumpkin County Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee; Vice President, Georgia Mountain Chapter, Military Officer's Association of America; Sergeant-at Arms, American Legion, Chapter 239; President, Citizens Advisory and Service Board, Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office; and he was one of the Lumpkin County members on the Tri County Development Authority (Lumpkin, White and Dawson Counties).

Survivors include his beloved wife Connie Thompson, Dahlonega; daughters and sons-in-law Laura and Ron Rodriguez, Thomasville, NC, and Madeline and Greg McMillan, Johns Island, SC; son and daughter-in-law Robert Bradley and Michelle Thompson, Manassas, VA; and granddaughter Emily Thompson.

LTC Thompson will be buried at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA with military honors.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Lumpkin County Animal Shelter, 1363 Red Oak Flats Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533.

To share a memory of LTC Thompson or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, 2068 Hwy 19 N, Dahlonega, GA 30533

LTC Thompson's may be viewed below.