Fred Thompson with wife, Jeri
Fred Thompson with then girlfriend, country singer Lorie Morgan
Posted on 11/01/2015 5:06:05 PM PST by Kaslin
One of the most well-liked figures in national politics has passed away today. Fred Thompson, whose careers as an attorney, an actor, and a politician nearly gave him a path to the White House, died earlier today from lymphoma, according to his family. Thompson was 73 years old:
Mr. Thompson died after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a statement issued by the Thompson family.
“It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our brother, husband, father, and grandfather who died peacefully in Nashville surrounded by his family,” the statement reads.
“Fred once said that the experiences he had growing up in small-town Tennessee formed the prism through which he viewed the world and shaped the way he dealt with life. Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate. He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility. Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home.
“Fred believed that the greatness of our nation was defined by the hard work, faith, and honesty of its people. He had an enduring belief in the exceptionalism of our country, and that America could provide the opportunity for any boy or girl, in any corner of our country, to succeed in life. “
Thompson led a storied public life, beginning in one of the most dramatic moments in American politics over the last half-century. Thompson’s questioning of Alexander Butterfield in the Watergate scandal exposed the taping system employed by Richard Nixon, and eventually led to Nixon’s resignation. Thompson continued to make waves as an attorney, representing a whistleblower in a corruption case in Tennessee. That led to an opportunity to play himself in the film Marie, starring Sissy Spacek, and leading to a long career in Hollywood. Iconic roles in The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard II, and later “Law and Order” gave Thompson a familiar, avuncular quality.
In 1994, Thompson parlayed that familiarity to a seat in the US Senate, taking Al Gore’s seat in a special election. He won again in 1996 for a full term, but retired from the Senate in 2002 to return to his acting career. In 2007, though, with the Republican presidential field wide open, Thompson decided to run for the nomination, only to find that he’d gotten in too late to have an impact.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Thompson on a few occasions. He had the same folksy manner off air as he did on the air, perhaps more so when he left politics for good after 2007. One of those occasions came at CPAC in 2014, when Thompson was promoting his project Persecuted. Quite frankly, even though I had spoken to Thompson on the air a few times, it was a little daunting to interview him in person with a bit of a crowd around, but Thompson was as gracious and friendly as ever. Here’s the interview, and you’ll see how much I enjoyed getting to chat with him:
Rest in peace, Senator. You certainly earned it. Our prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues.
I had the honor of pulling the lever for him in the Michigan primary
Geez, watching a Fred Thompson commercial right now.
Aren't we in deep trouble now through the fault of that arrogant, lying POS occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave?
When Fred left the Senate, Tennessee lost it’s true last conservative Republican senator. Lamar Alexander took his spot.
Fred Thompson was conservatively head and shoulders above Lamar and Corker!!!
God Bless Senator Thompson!
Aw, no!
RIP, Mr. Thompson.
I better spend my remaining money real fast. I just passed that age.
Whenever Fred spoke; I listened.
We don’t have a President dying right now and we would have with Fred. That completely overwhelms a country. You guys didn’t recover from Kennedy for decades. not sure you have yet.
RIP Senator Fred Thompson
RIP, but remember he gave us Justice Roberts.
He was a good man. Prayers for his family and friends.
Fred Thompson with wife, Jeri
Fred Thompson with then girlfriend, country singer Lorie Morgan
I didn't know Fred was ill
I believe he was born again, but not sure.
Religion
Thompson was raised in the Churches of Christ. According to Thompson, his values come from “sitting around the kitchen table” with his parents, and from the Church of Christ. While talking to reporters in South Carolina, Thompson said, “I attend church when I’m in Tennessee. I’m [living] in McLean right now. I don’t attend regularly when I’m up there.”On occasion, Thompson attended Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia. He did not speak much about his religion during his campaign, saying, “Me getting up and talking about what a wonderful person I am and that sort of thing, I’m not comfortable with that, and I don’t think it does me any good.”
Source: Wikipedia
A president dying in office is one thing. Heart attack, cancer etc. Heartbreaking, but not staggering.
A president assassinated is a whole different set of dynamics.
I first remember him from Season 1 of Roseanne, and later on Wiseguy.
He was a good, decent man and loved by all.
I am so happy he found true happiness with his young wife.
God rest his sweet soul and God hold him dear.
I am praying for his soul and for his heartbroken and grieving family.
Lord, hear our prayers.
Prayers up for Sen. Thompson. RIP Fred..
Amen, sweet onyx.
Duncan Hunter was my candidate. I never heard the theory that Thompson cost him valuable funds. RIP Fred
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