In Memory of John Thompson, 6th Dan, Indian River Aikikai

John Thompson Sensei, 6th Dan, of Indian River Aikikai passed away on February 15th as a result of cancer. He was 77. Thompson Sensei began studying Aikido in the mid-6o's in Brevard County Florida. He was a USAF member and among the earliest practitioners of Aikido in Florida and the East Coast. Yamada Sensei would travel frequently to Florida during that time and John received all of his promotions from him. His contemporaries included "Doc" Walker, George Wilson, Alan Drysdale, Grady Lane and Nelson Nichols among others. John was also one of the early space pioneers. He was employed by NASA and worked at Kennedy Space Center and Vandenburg CA on most of the Space Flight programs.

John practiced and taught Aikido continuously both in Florida and Vandenburg, CA until his retirement in January 2008, due to his illness. John will be remembered by his friends, family, and Aikidoka for his kindness and generosity which reflected the true Aikido spirit. We will miss him. JohnÕs local obituary and guest book can be found here: