John Edd Thompson
Encyclopedia
John Edd Thompson is a former chief meteorologist for WALA-TV
in Mobile, Alabama
. Thompson reported the weather for people on the central Gulf Coast since 1969. Thompson retired on June 5, 2009 to spend more time with family.
and the University of Alabama
respectively.
Outside of the weather, Thompson's other interest lies in song writing. He was one of the founding members of the Mobile Songwriters Association and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He also participates in the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival that is held every November in Gulf Shores, Alabama
.
He found out that his home had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
while he was on the air doing coverage of the storm. http://blog.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2009/04/walatv10_chief_meteorologist_j.html
On April 22, 2009, during the 5pm newscast it was announced that John Edd would be retiring. WALA TV to commemorate his 32 years of service has started a series "The End of an Era" as a tribute to JET as well as a special section on their website (http://www.fox10tv.com/). On May 20, it was announced the new chief meteorologist would be colleague Jason Smith.
Thompson's last newscast was broadcast the night of Friday, June 5, 2009. The special newscast featured former WALA newscasters and reporters and sports personalities extending their thanks. On the special, Thompson announced he had taken a job in Los Angeles
, California
teaching acting students (however, this would be part-time). Thompson still resides in Mobile.
He is the grandfather of Brad, Caroline, Tanner, and Grace.
introduced its Readers' Choice Awards in 2002, the final results always placed Thompson first. In the past the Mobile Press Club named him "Best Weather Anchor", but Thompson's biggest honor from these industry professionals came in September 2005 with the John Harris Achievement Award for his contributions to broadcasting over a long period of time.
Wala
Wala can refer to:Places* Wala , a small island in Vanuatu, and a popular destination for cruise ships*Wala , a volcano in Papua New GuineaPeople*Wala of Corbie , an advisor to the Frankish kings including Charlemagne...
in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
. Thompson reported the weather for people on the central Gulf Coast since 1969. Thompson retired on June 5, 2009 to spend more time with family.
Life and career
Thompson, a Mobile native earned his degrees in meteorology and communications from Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
and the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
respectively.
Outside of the weather, Thompson's other interest lies in song writing. He was one of the founding members of the Mobile Songwriters Association and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He also participates in the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival that is held every November in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores, Alabama
-External links:*...
.
He found out that his home had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
while he was on the air doing coverage of the storm. http://blog.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2009/04/walatv10_chief_meteorologist_j.html
On April 22, 2009, during the 5pm newscast it was announced that John Edd would be retiring. WALA TV to commemorate his 32 years of service has started a series "The End of an Era" as a tribute to JET as well as a special section on their website (http://www.fox10tv.com/). On May 20, it was announced the new chief meteorologist would be colleague Jason Smith.
Thompson's last newscast was broadcast the night of Friday, June 5, 2009. The special newscast featured former WALA newscasters and reporters and sports personalities extending their thanks. On the special, Thompson announced he had taken a job in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
teaching acting students (however, this would be part-time). Thompson still resides in Mobile.
He is the grandfather of Brad, Caroline, Tanner, and Grace.
Awards and recognition
Since the Press-RegisterPress-Register
The Press-Register is a daily newspaper serving the southwest Alabama counties of Mobile and Baldwin. The newspaper is a descendant of one founded in 1813, making the Press-Register Alabama's oldest newspaper...
introduced its Readers' Choice Awards in 2002, the final results always placed Thompson first. In the past the Mobile Press Club named him "Best Weather Anchor", but Thompson's biggest honor from these industry professionals came in September 2005 with the John Harris Achievement Award for his contributions to broadcasting over a long period of time.
Filmography
- SoultakerSoultaker (film)Soultaker is a 1990 fantasy horror film starring Vivian Schilling, Joe Estevez, and Robert Z'Dar. The film was featured on an episode of movie-mocking TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000. However, despite the negative reception, it won a Saturn Award in 1992 for Best Genre Video Release...
(News Anchor) - In the Heat of the NightIn the Heat of the Night (TV series)In the Heat of the Night is a television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995...
("Bailiff" in episode "Unfinished Business") - Bloodlines: Murder in the Family (Jail Guard)
- Felony (Reporter)
- He also made a cameo appearanceCameo appearanceA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the movie Close Encounters of the Third KindClose Encounters of the Third KindClose Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, and Cary Guffey...
, which was filmed in Mobile and surrounding areas.