Douglas Alan Thompson

Commander Douglas Alan Thompson, United States Naval Reserve (ret.) passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020.  He was born in Washington. D.C. on May 8, 1954 to Ralph F. Thompson, Jr. and Ailsa McCouch.  The long-time Pittsburgh resident graduated from Shady Side Academy, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, and was awarded a doctorate in law from University of Pittsburgh.  His long legal career included clerking for Superior Court of Pennsylvania Appellate Judge the Honorable John P. Hester; he was also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court.  He qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer while on active duty and deployed to the Mediterranean on USS Conyngham (DDG-17), followed by Naval Reserve assignments that included the Military Sealift Command headquarters unit at Washington Navy Yard.

 Douglas was a member of the Liberty Valley Council #50 of the Royal and Select Master Masons; Lodge 45 of the Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania; East Hills Royal Arch Chapter #268; and Duquesne Commandery #72 of the Knights Templar of Pittsburgh, PA.  His other memberships included the Sons of the American Revolution; Shriners International (Syria Shriners, Cheswick, PA.); and American Legion Post #0577.

 His broad interests involved him with the; Allegheny HYP Club; Pittsburgh Sportsmen’s Luncheon Club; Tuesday Night Bridge Club, Pittsburgh Ballet, Teutonia Männerchor Club; and University Club. Douglas was also a Theta Delta Chi brother and had been active with the Pittsburgh Jaycees. His equestrian activities centered on Ford’s Horse Stables and social events at Rolling Rock and Sewickley Hunt. He was active in Three Rivers Rowing Association, and the Pittsburgh Cricket League, he shot skeet and trap at the Pike Run Country Club, and sailed out of Port Annapolis on Halcyon II, regularly racing it in the Maryland Governor’s Cup.  
 

Thompson is survived and missed by a brother, Eric Thompson of Arlington, VA; two sisters, Jean Thompson of Fairfax, VA, and Gale Thompson (Seth Frazier) of Washington, D.C.; and nieces deCourcy and Morgan O’Grady and Alexandra Frazier. Cremation will be followed by placement in the columbarium at Christ Church Fox Chapel.  

A Reception will be held Friday, July 24th from 1 p.m. to  3 p.m. at the Fox Chapel Golf Club, 426 Fox Chapel Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Due to Covid-19, there will be a Zoom Meeting broadcast via the internet for those who are unable to attend.
 

The link is:  https://fairwaymc.zoom.us/j/91679474565
 

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made for Douglas A. Thompson to the Masonic Villages of Pennsylvania, c/o Office of Gift Planning, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 to be used for “Compassionate Care Fund”. If you prefer to donate online,  https://masonicvillages.org/donate-now/

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