Born: 30-NOV-1928

Died: 9-SEP-2014

Activated:

Spring 1949

Class Year:

1952

Major:

Mathematics

Minors:

Physics and Chemistry

 

 

Military service:

U.S. Navy

Other education

M.S. - Education Administration (University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI)

Ph.D. - Education Administration (University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI)

Notes:

John married Joan LeMense (Ripon, 1952) in 1953

MicroTaus:

• Terry
• Tom
• Jim

John married Lyn Friday in 1983

About me	Details	Memorium

Details about John

About me	Details	Memorium

Statements in Memory of Jack

A Memorium from the Summer 2011 Ripon Magazine

John was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, to parents Clarence Thorson and Addie Mae (nee) Margeson. He graduated from Blanchardville High School and served in the U.S. Navy, 1946 - 48. The G.I. Bill allowed John to attend Ripon College, class of 1952, where he met and married Joan (nee) LeMense in 1953, with whom he had three children, Terry, Tom, and Jim. He later married Lyn (nee) Friday in 1983.

John was a teacher and a principal before receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1966. He went on to serve as superintendent of schools in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and (former) HS District #88 and Hinsdale Township HS District in Illinois. John loved golfing with his buddies, travel, and the Green Bay Packers. He is survived by his daughter, Terry Thorson (Shepherdstown, WV), son Tom Thorson (Oak Park, IL), and granddaughters Leah, Erika, Tierney, Lourdra, and Gilleece.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Smithsonian Institution are appreciated.

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Information about John has been collected from

• Ripon College Magazine, Ripon College, Ripon, WI
• The Crimson, the Ripon College annual yearbook, Ripon College, Ripon, WI
• Ripon College Insider online community