Remembering Patriot & Leader Arthur R. Thompson
The John Birch Society, the parent organization of this magazine, mourns the passing of its former CEO Arthur Robert Thompson, known affectionately as “Art.” A patriot, devout Christian, and one of the organization’s most influential leaders, Art went home to the Lord on November 7, 2024, after dedicating decades of his life to the cause of individual liberty and exposing efforts to undermine individual freedoms in pursuit of a godless and socialist one-world government.
Born on October 11, 1938, in Seattle to Arthur Latimer and Edith W. (née Cole) Thompson, Art’s upbringing was steeped in family values and hard work. His grandfather’s adventurous beginnings as a stagecoach driver between Missoula and Ronan, Montana, undoubtedly influenced Art’s tenacity and drive. As a young boy, he had a mischievous streak, and fondly recalled “French leaves” — playful, unannounced departures — lighthearted memories of his adventurous spirit.
His early years were marked by academic and professional pursuits, including attending the University of Washington and officer training at the Washington Military Academy at Camp Murray. He later worked as a facilities manager at Boeing in Seattle, where his observations of Cold War-era Soviet aircraft orders fueled his anti-communist resolve. While working there, he recalled, the company received an order from the Soviet Union for aircraft with loading-bay doors that opened on the bottom of the aircraft — similar to bomb-bay doors.
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