Edgar J. Thompson

Edgar Joseph Thompson was born December 12, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Frances Louise (Naisbitt) Kirkham and Joseph Stoddart Kirkham. Although Ed suffered nearly 10 years from Alzheimer’s disease, he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones August 18, 2025.

Ed’s parents, Frances and Joseph, divorced in 1949. In 1950, Frances married Glen Edward Thompson whose surname Ed and his brother Stephen adopted at that time. The new family was blessed with two daughters, Robyn and Cathy, and another son, Thomas.

Ed attended elementary schools in Salt Lake City, Garland, American Fork, and Murray, Utah, and graduated from Murray High School in 1954.

Ed joined the Utah National Guard in 1953 and continued to serve in Utah and California for 26 years, retiring at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.

In 1955-56, Ed attended the University of Utah, and the following year received a scholarship to Brigham Young University, where he graduated with BS and MS degrees in Physics and Mathematics.

At BYU, Ed met Carol Joanne Anderson of Long Beach, California, and the two were married in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Harold B. Lee on June 8, 1959. Ed and Joanne were blessed with five wonderful daughters: Liese, Lara, Leslie, Leigh Anne, and Lindsay.

In 1961, the family moved to California where Ed first worked at Hughes Aircraft on the Syncom 1 communication satellite, and later at North American Aviation on the Apollo moon-landing project. In 1971, Ed left the aerospace industry to accept a position at Long Beach City College teaching astronomy and physics.

During these years, Ed was also engaged in the study of music at California State University Long Beach (CSULB), where he earned a Master of Arts degree in choral conducting.

The family moved to Salt Lake City in 1972, where Ed earned a Ph.D. degree in Music Education at the University of Utah, and then joined the music faculty at CSULB. In 1978, Ed was offered a visiting position at the University of Utah and a year later was offered a full-time position as conductor of the A Capella Choir, and Chair of the Department of Music. Ed sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir until 1982, and that year also became music director of the Utah Chorale (later renamed Utah Symphony Chorus). For 21 years, Ed was privileged to conduct the Messiah Sing-In, a tradition he loved. In 2003, Ed retired from the University of Utah and Utah Symphony Chorus.

Ed and Joanne served in the Tabernacle Choir organization as volunteer missionaries from 2005-2008. From 2008-2009, Ed was the Interim Assistant Conductor of the Choir, and afterward he continued to serve as Coordinator of Auditions for the Orchestra at Temple Square.

Ed loved his Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, and served willingly and faithfully in every calling.

Ed is survived by his wife, Joanne, whom he loved dearly, and daughters Lara Lloyd (Park), Leslie Wagner (Ted), Leigh Anne Greco (Scott), Lindsay Bos (Troy), and son-in-law Scott Checketts. He was also blessed with 19 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and loving siblings Stephen (Debbie) Thompson, Robyn Bechthold (Gene), Stephen Carey, Thomas Thompson.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Cathy, his oldest daughter Liese Checketts, and grandson Chistopher Greco. We are grateful they are together again.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Holladay 8th ward, 5450 South Holladay Blvd, Tuesday, August 26, at 1:00 pm. A viewing will be held that same day from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, prior to the service. Interment at Memorial Holladay Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Edgar J. Thompson Music Education Scholarship at the University of Utah School of Music.