Alvin Lewis Thompson, 85, passed away peacefully at approximately 5:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, following a long and courageous journey with frontotemporal dementia.

Alvin was born on May 1, 1941, to Oscar Thompson and Rhoda Brandon. He attended Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School, where he was a leader in ROTC and distinguished himself as a talented basketball player. This passion stayed with him through his life, and he continued playing competitively during his years in the United States Air Force.

Alvin could have accepted an offer to attend MIT, but chose to enter the Air Force in 1959 and served his country for 20 years before being honorably discharged on June 30, 1979. During his military career, he received education and training in electrical engineering and lived in several places, including Iceland, where he was stationed for approximately two years. Following his military service, Alvin continued his professional career in electrical engineering and electronics, including work at Tektronics and IBM.

Throughout his life, Alvin lived in Washington, D.C., New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Colorado as well as abroad. Wherever he lived, he remained deeply connected to his family and his roots in Washington D.C.

Alvin was a profoundly spiritual, philosophical, and reflective man. He enjoyed exploring life’s deeper meanings through literature and conversation, and often spoke about love, harmony, living in the flow of life, and working toward the greater good. He persistently encouraged those around him to think more deeply about how they lived, how they loved, and how they treated one another.

Above all, Alvin was a man of love, joy, and laughter. He smiled easily and often, bringing warmth to those fortunate enough to know him. Even after dementia took away his ability to form sentences, his loving nature remained visible in his smile, his laughter, and the light in his presence. His illness may have gradually taken his words, but it could not take away the love and joy that defined him.

Alvin is survived by his daughters, Deirdre Thompson-Paschetto and Colette Thompson-Lucke; his son-in-law, Andrew Paschetto; and his grandchildren, Adreanna Thompson-Paschetto and Brendan Thompson-Paschetto.

He is also survived by his siblings, Joyce Shepherd, Teresa LaDoris Thompson, Voicetta Bryant, Jerene Shaheed, and Derek Thompson; his lifelong best friend, Gerald Fells, and Gerald's wife, Cheryl; and his former wife and the mother of his daughters, Gloria Giles Lucke. He leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Thompson and Rhoda (Brandon) Thompson, and his siblings Stanley Thompson, and Larry Thompson.

Alvin will be remembered not only for his military service, professional accomplishments, athletic ability, and intellectual curiosity, but for the way he loved. His family will carry forward his belief in harmony, compassion, laughter, and the greater good. His voice, wisdom, joyful spirit, and ever-present smile will remain forever in the hearts of those who loved him.