Jerry Thompson was called home to Heaven on January 29, 2011, after a two-year battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his mother, Mary Ann; his wife, Ines; and his three sons, Jason, Drew, and Brandon.

Jerry was born on March 22, 1958, in Washington, DC, to Mary Ann Gutridge and Jay Thompson. He began high school at Woodward Prep in Washington, DC, and graduated from Potomac High School in Maryland. He attended Montgomery College in Maryland and majored in broadcasting and video. After graduation, he interned for WJLA, Channel 7 News. Upon completion of his internship, he worked as a freelancer for other news stations in the DC area.

Jerry was hired by CNN and went on to a 27-year career during which he worked with countless news reporters, traveling worldwide to cover stories from the fall of the Berlin Wall to presidential inaugurations. He gained the high respect of CNN colleagues and ultimately was promoted to Senior Videographer for the DC bureau. As the years progressed and his family grew, Jerry would often turn down assignments in favor of being with his family and sons – Jason, Drew and Brandon.

In November 2011, in support of Jerry and his family, Jerry's CNN colleagues coordinated a fundraiser in Washington, DC. The event was attended by more than 400 people, including CNN colleagues and lifelong friends.

Jerry was a soft-spoken individual with a keen wit that made him a pleasure to be with. He had an intense love for his sons, and he was always involved in their activities. His friends and family will remember his enthusiasm for sports, his memorable laugh, and his Abbott and Costello figurines.

Jerry's life and the memories he leaves us provide defining lessons about humor, values, commitment, loyalty, and unselfishness. Jerry loved being with family and friends and brought a sense of vitality to all his relationships and endeavors. His example and influences on all of us will live forever.

Friends of Jerry Thompson have established, a minor trust fund for Jason, Drew, and Brandon. For those wishing to make donations, friends and family request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the "Jerry Thompson Children's Trust" to benefit his surviving children. To donate, go to the CNN fundraiser's website at http://buyjerryabeer.com/Jerry_s_Story.html, and click on the "Donate" button at the bottom of the page.

A memorial service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Northern Virginia Baha'i Center, 21415 Cardinal Glen Circle, Sterling, Virginia 20164. Following the memorial service, friends and family are invited to a reception at the center.

For information call Ines at 703-795-5205.

** Please do whatever you can to carpool. Parking is available for 120 vehicles. Do not park along neighborhood streets because we can be fined by the county. There is a Kohls shopping center near by that could "unofficially" be used for parking. It is, however, a short walk or an impromptu shuttle service could be set up.