Jerry Thompson
Family Information: Married to Lisa Hale of Mesa,
AZ. 5 children: James (19), Reagan (17), Josie (11), Jessica (6),
and Jacque (3).
Occupation: Buyer / Honeywell
Residence: Mesa, AZ. Phone: 480-807-7994
What I have been doing since 1975:
I believe that this might be my first submittal to one of our reunions that
I have turned in to our class. My good intentions to attend or at least respond were always out prioritized by a family occurrence.
I moved to Mesa immediately after graduation, my parents had already moved
there a few months earlier. I had always enjoyed Mr. Holsinger’s drafting
class so I enrolled at MCC and started on my AA in Construction Drafting.
During my studies I decided it was time to clean up my life and returned to
activation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (Mormon
Church). I had not been to church since about sixth grade. On May 10, 1977
I left on a two-year mission to Puerto Rico. These two years shaped and
directed my future more than any other event in my life.
I returned to Mesa in May of ’79 and re-enrolled at MCC. I finished my AA
in Construction Drafting only to find out I couldn’t survive on the wages
and returned to MCC I finished a transfer degree in Business Administration
and accidentally qualified for a third AA degree in General Education
because of the various classes I had taken. I was soon at ASU where I
graduated in December of 83 with a Bachelor degree in Purchasing and
Materials Management. Upon graduation I interviewed on campus with Storage Technology Inc. out of
Colorado. They had facilities in Puerto Rico in two of the cities where I had previously served my mission. I was interviewed a second time over the
phone and made an offer. I moved my family and myself to Ponce, Puerto Rico
to work at Storage Tek de Puerto Rico where they produced tape drive systems
and controllers for main frame computers. After two years it was time to
come home. My mother had had two open heart surgeries and being a Mama’s
boy I had to be close to her. My parents had returned to live in Globe in
1978 during my first stint in Puerto Rico.
I started work at Garrett Engine Division of Allied Signal in June of 1986.
We produce prop engines, jet engines, APUs (Auxiliary Power Units), tank engines and so on. I have
worked there since and have gone on to earn my Masters of Arts in
Management. We recently merged with Honeywell and have changed our name to
Honeywell International.
I have one hobby, music. I am co-owner of a web-site called Purely Audio and
a manufacturing company called Superstition Audio. We manufacture and sell
high end stereo gear over the net. It helps pay for the hobby.
I have saved the best for last. I married Lisa Hale, a Mesa girl and we
live in Mesa near Val Vista and Southern. We have five children, James 19,
Reagan 17, Josie 11, Jessica 6, and Jacque who is 3. Believe it or not they
were all planned. James is a big kid and like me loves music.
Reagan plays the guitar and is another music lover. He has an excellent
sense of humor and will often use his poor dad as the butt of his jokes.
Josie is our athlete. She took the Arizona State Championship in NBA
two-ball for 10-11 year old girls and got to play at a Suns game this year.
They actually beat the 16-17 year old boys! She has also won her age group
in Punt, pass, and kick, Baseball Diamond skills and absolutely rules in
soccer. She plays the piano and drums. Jessi is our little sweet heart. She is as girly and feminine as they get.
Jacque is mischievous and loves to growl. Don’t let her cute smile deceive you.
Memories of MHS:
I mostly remember my classmates. With such a small class every body seems
familiar even yet. I didn’t care to involve myself much during those days
but everyone still played an important role in my life. I remember going to
football games and basket ball games. I remember riding my Triumph to
school. Hanging out and listening to the latest Deep Purple album (I spent
all my money down at the JukeBox). I remember cruising with Pat Theilbar in
his El Camino or being out with Dave Stanley, Jim Vladeff, and Eddie
Valenzuela.
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