Virginia Tech Dining Services’ Chef de Cuisine for Dietrick Hall Justin Thompson, 33, passed away on June 16.
Thompson joined Dining Services in November 2012, and as a chef, maintained a high-level of standards in food preparation, quality, taste, creativity, and variety.
“Our dining family, campus community, the NRV [New River Valley], and beyond is better for having had Justin in our lives, as he was a dear friend and fierce ally to everyone. His connections with people were impactful. He would fill in the spaces between the rest of us with his knowledge and humor,” said Gabe Petry, assistant director of dining services. “The sheer breadth of his interests and hobbies included him in many circles, and he had a knack for blending those connections together and forging new relationships among everyone he met. Young at heart, wise beyond his years, and always wearing an infectious smile, he will be and is already greatly missed by us all.”
Thompson spent his free time cooking, target shooting, playing guitar, watching wrestling, playing video games, spending time with his family and friends, and, most importantly, dedicating his life as a loving father to his son.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Louis and Anna Jean Thompson, and his close friend Thai Huynh. Left to cherish his memory are son, Micah Thompson; parents, Brian and Rita Thompson; grandparents David and Hattie Dove; a brother, Travis, and his wife, Casey, and daughter, Ella; maternal uncles Eric Dove and Robert Dove and wife, Cindy; paternal aunt and uncle, Brenda Horne and husband, Doug, and Barry Thompson. He is also survived by many cousins, great-aunts, great-uncles, and friends.
The Thompson family will receive friends at Horne Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, June 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Christiansburg. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 11 a.m. at Cambria Baptist Church, also in Christiansburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad.
