Obituary for Pastor Eric Dwight Thompson at Wm. Reese & Sons Mortuary, P.A. (2024)

~THE OBITUARY~

Eric Dwight Thompson, son of Joann Tammy Thompson of Anne Arundel County, the youngest of two children, was born on October 6, 1984. Eric entered eternal rest on August 5, 2022, at the age of 37.

Eric attended the Anne Arundel County Public Schools, graduating from Southern Senior High School in 2002. He went on to pursue a Bachelor in Science, majoring in Psychology, from Bowie State University, graduating in 2008. He matriculated through the American University, in the District of Columbia, and obtained his Master’s degree in Education, Leadership and Policy in 2012.

Eric’s strong belief in education allowed him to lead a successful career as principal at the Community Charter Schools of Patterson, New Jersey, the University of Heights Charter School in Newark, New Jersey, and Kipp Academy in Newark, New Jersey. He also taught second grade in the DC Public Charter Schools system for six years. Eric facilitated collaborations amongst educators and leaders in the community. His strength was creating cohesive collaborations. He mastered the art of servant leadership through collaborations that aided in building professional learning communities centered on scholars.

Eric’s family upbringing shaped his views and values in life to have a positive impact on the world. His core values, hard-work, and dedication that were instilled in him at a young age served as the foundation for the success he encountered in life. Eric would often say “Education levels the playing ground and makes more opportunities available to those who are willing to gain knowledge.” He believed that if we keep children at the center of our decisions, we will ultimately create a better future by assuming the best and unlocking the potential of all we educate.

Eric’s religious beliefs and training started at home and continued at the International House of Prayer Church (formerly known as House of Prayer for All People), where he gave his life to God and never looked back. He learned that his relationship with Jesus was more important than a religious experience. Eric’s love for God, God’s Word and God’s people was evident. Eric’s passion for prayer, praise, and worship was shared with everyone he encountered. His life’s mission was to support God’s people in change and difference. With that calling he entered ministry at a young age and was on fire for God. He meant Jesus all the way!

Pastor Eric was ordained and served in ministry for years. As God would have it, he felt the leading of the Lord to start a work. He was ordained and installed as Pastor, founding the Chosen Generation Center of Transformation (better known as C.G.C.T), the church that promises change, in 2010, and became Pastor Eric D. Thompson. A humanitarian without reluctance, Eric devoted his life to serving others. As a minister of the gospel, he believed that it is our duty to be the living example of God on earth through our actions that are in the best interest of others.

Pastor Eric believed that ministry goes beyond the reach of the walls of the church. With that in mind, he created a partnership with a ministry in Bowie, MD and for over three years, together, they sponsored a winter relief shelter, where an average of 30 homeless individuals were fed, housed, and taken care of at their church for one week. Eric developed teams to take part in "relay for life" and raised money to fight cancer. He also created many service opportunities so people could have an impact on their community, such as feeding families at the Ronald McDonald Cancer House, distributing food at a local pantry, serving food to those in shelters around the city, visiting those who were sick, and giving financial contributions to those in need. He lived a life surrounded in prayer. It was his charge to pray without ceasing. Pastor Eric served as Elder at Bethlehem Judah Christian Fellowship Church of God In Christ.

Eric lived a life of willing sacrifice for the greater good of others. His passion to help the helpless motivated him to be the first responder when people were in crisis. Eric understood the importance of caring for people, giving unselfishly to the needs of others, loving unconditionally, and forgiving without restraint. Pastoring for over a decade helped Eric to develop a global outlook on how effective leadership with consistent encouragement can have a positive impact on the transformation process of individuals to live better.

Eric was preceded in death by his step-parents, Lincoln D. Crowner and Velma T. Crowner (his Nanna, his confidant, his spiritual teacher, his everything); grandmother, Loretta B. Thompson; grandfather, Joseph I. Brown; uncle, Charles Edward Gray Sr.; cousin, Derrick M. Offer; and godfather, George W. Forester.

Eric is survived by his mother, Joann T. Thompson; sister, Tamira L. Thompson (in his words, “Sis-Sis”); sidekick and cousin, Monika R. Stokeling; three aunts, Sheila R. Stokeling, LaVonne Sanders and Pamela V. Offer; six uncles, Joey L. Brown (Uncle Popa), Antonia Thompson (Uncle Dunne), Reginal Gray, Aris T. Brown (Brown Boy), Larry Medley, and Carl Brown; 16 first cousins; 47 second cousins; godmother, Roselyn “Ra-Ra” Wells; godbrother, Donnell Burke; goddaughter, Alyvia Jones; godson, Derrin “Fatman” Brown; close friends, Jaitia, Will, Ice, Bryan, Derrin, and Nina; and spiritual sister-in-Christ, Pastor Neke. Eric will be greatly missed by many more devoted family and friends, especially his clergy family.

Eric was loved by all but most importantly by his family. He was well known throughout Maryland, D.C., Virginia, New York, and New Jersey.

~VIRTUAL SERVICE~

In lieu of being able to physically attend the funeral service for Pastor Eric D. Thompson all are welcomed to watch the live streamed service, via Zoom, on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., by clicking on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86112769306. Please note, to watch the actual service, you must have the Zoom app downloaded on your device (i.e., computer, tablet, cell phone, etc.).

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