Jerry W. Thompson accepted a scholarship to attend Oklahoma University to play football under Bud Wilkinson. Jerry was a three year starter at Oklahoma, in 1960 Jerry received All-American honors in Football and Academics.

After graduation he became the head Coach at St. Mary's High School in Oklahoma City for two years before returning to Oklahoma as a coach for three years under Wilkinson and Gomer Jones.

Jerry then joined the staff at Arizona State under Frank Kush. Jerry spent ten years as the defensive line coach for the Sun Devils before reuniting with Wilkinson as the Special Teams coach with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years Sue Hammons-Thompson and his two sons.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and his brother.