TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Alexander W. Thompson, Jr. 1952-2024 Retired NFL player, Educator
“HIS MILITARY AWARDS INCLUDED A BRONZE STAR FOR SERVICE IN SAUDI ARABIA DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM ...”
A lexander W. “Woody” Thompson, Jr. (Epsi- lon Mu 1975) entered the Chapter Invisible on August 8, 2024, at 71. Alex- ander Woodrow Thompson, Jr. was born in Erie, Penn- sylvania, to Alexander Sr., and Laura Roberts Thomp- son on August 20, 1952.
awards included a Bronze Star for service in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Meri- torious Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. After retirement from active duty in 1996, Walker worked in the family busi- ness Logistics Applications, Inc., and later pursued a career in business develop- ment. He loved teaching and was an adjunct profes- sor for more than 30 years at the University of Mary- land Global Campus. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Walker was a longtime member of the Alexandria-Fairfax (VA) Alumni, where he
led the chapter as its 15th polemarch. He also held memberships with Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Boulé), a connecting link of The Links, Incorporated, a member of The ROCKS Inc., The Baggers, and Bird- ies & Bogeys golf groups. He was a devoted attendee at Fort Belvoir Chapel for nearly 30 years. Brother Thomas L. Walker, Sr. is preceded by his parents. He is survived by wife, Lieutenant Colonel Suzanne Walker, U.S. Army (Ret.); and their son, Malachi J. Walker (Nu Xi 2017) (Jordan Dudley Walker); his two children from his first marriage to Barbara Aikens Walker: Thomas L. (Cindy) Walker II (Theta Psi 2001) and Brittney L. Walker (Rob Blanchard); grandchildren, Kennedy, Riley, and Willa; brother, William W. “Wes” (Pam) Walker, IV (Alexan- dria-Fairfax (VA) Alumni 1983); and a host of close friends and relatives. ♦
Florida, where he played running back for the Miami Hurricanes from 1972 to 1974. Thompson the ‘Canes’ in rushing as a junior in 1973 with 802 yards and again as a senior in 1974 with 343 yards on only 78 carries. He is remembered for scoring three touchdowns to lead
“THOMPSON WAS THE THIRD- ROUND DRAFT PICK IN THE 1975 NFL DRAFT, WHERE HE PLAYED RUNNING BACK FOR THREE SEASONS WITH THE ATLANTA FALCONS.”
Thompson graduated from East High School in 1971 as a running back, state champion wrestler, and dis- trict champion sprinter. He was inducted into the Metro Erie Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. He attended the Uni- versity of Miami in Miami,
the Hurricanes to a 20-15 upset victory over Texas to open the 1973 season. Thompson was the third- round draft pick in the 1975 NFL draft, where he played running back for three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. For a career,
50 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2024
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