Honorees

Hon. Gordon Thompson, Jr.

1929-2015

Judge Gordon Thompson, Jr. was born in San Diego, California on December 28, 1929. He attended Point Loma High School and was the product of a respected San Diego family steeped in legal tradition. His grandfather Adam Thompson was a Judge Pro-Tem for the County of San Diego; his father Gordon Thompson, Sr. was a Superior Court Judge for the County of San Diego (and inductee to the Criminal Justice Memorial); his brother David R. Thompson was a Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; his son John M. Thompson is currently serving as a Superior Court Judge for the County of San Diego; and his son Peter R. Thompson is a distinguished lawyer.

Judge Thompson was nominated to the federal bench in San Diego by President Richard Nixon on October 7, 1970 and confirmed by the United States Senate less than one week later, on October 14, 1970. He is the longest serving judge in the Southern District of California, having heard cases from his appointment through June 2015. He served as Chief Judge of the Southern District of California from January 22, 1984 to January 22, 1991. He took senior status on December 28, 1994 and continued to hear cases until his death. An indomitable spirit with a cheery smile, Judge Thompson relished a good day’s work and helping his colleagues. Rebuffing retirement he noted, “I’ll stay right here in this chamber. It’s a very good way to spend my time doing something that is helping out the other judges.” (Daily Journal, 6/25/14).

Judge Thompson graduated from the University of Southern California in 1951, having married the love of his life Jean Peters on March 17, 1951, during his senior year. He attended Southwestern Law School, graduating in 1956. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego from 1957 to 1960. In January 1960, he went into private practice with his brother David in the firm of Thompson & Thompson until his appointment to the federal bench.

In private practice, Judge Thompson focused on criminal defense and was “one of the best.” Known as “the Big Five,” Gordon Thompson, William B. Enright, Bart Sheila, Ray Castro and Peter Hughes (all inductees to the Criminal Justice Memorial) were often in the arena defending the criminally accused. Senior District Judge William B. Enright described Judge Thompson as “tenacious and relentless in representing criminal defendants.” Son John Thompson recalled, “My brother Peter and I would take the bus downtown and watch [Dad’s] trials. We were blessed by being able to watch one of the best. We couldn’t get enough of it. We grew up with it. For me, this is what Thompsons did.”

Judge Thompson handled several high publicity and controversial cases on the bench, leaving his mark as a fiercely independent judge who followed the law over his personal beliefs and public opinion. In 1991 he ruled the Mount Soledad cross was unconstitutional and ordered it to be moved from public land. He continued to preside over the contentious case for years. Decades later, the cross remains—now held privately. The case made him a polarizing figure, but he never gave in. A devout Christian, his no-nonsense style and fidelity to the law served him well. His ruling was never overturned.

In 1982, Judge Thompson drew national attention when he sent a draft resister to prison, the first judge to do so since the Vietnam War era. He sentenced then-Vista resident Ben Sasway to 30 months in prison for refusing to register for the draft.

Judge Thompson participated in judicial governance at the national and circuit levels. He was a member of the Judicial Conference’s Ninth Circuit Executive Committee, Committee on Intercircuit Assignments, and Committee to Review Circuit Council Conduct and Disability Orders. He served on the Board of the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA), including as Vice-President and Secretary. He was also the Chair of the SDCBA’s Legal Ethics Committee. He served as the Treasurer of the American Board of Trial Advocates, San Diego Chapter—a prestigious invitation-only organization for distinguished trial lawyers. Judge Thompson was also a member of the University of San Diego’s Board of Visitors, and Sharp Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees.

His devotion to family and institution and his traditional values made him a favorite among family and peers. On marriage, brother David Thompson recalled that while he and Gordon were attending a USC fraternity/sorority party a beautiful young woman entered the dance hall and began to play the piano. Gordon, seeing this woman for the first time, turned to David and said, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry!” And he did. On tradition, former Chief Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz recalled fatherly advice he was once given by his mentor, “Every man needs a station wagon,” Judge Thompson said. And he had a string of them, according to Judge Moskowitz, a Toyota Camry wagon, a VW wagon and a long-lasting BMW wagon. We knew when Gordon was coming for each wagon adorned the same license plate: “5GensUSC”. He was a huge Trojan fan.

“He was one the greats of this Court,” said Judge Moskowitz, and a “fabulous Chief Judge.” Senior District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller said, “Judge Thompson epitomized strength, independence, and perseverance. During his tenure as Chief, he fostered a spirit of collegiality and cooperation, always a hallmark of the Southern District which has lost one of it greatest and yet another of the greatest generation.”

Judge Thompson passed from view on July 5, 2015, at the age of 85. He died at home with his bride Jean and family members at his bedside.

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