Remembering Greg Thompson

On February 11, 2025, at 10:32 AM, I missed a call from Mike Dowdle e - a venture capitalist, fellow Angel investor, and friend. Shortly after, I received his heartbreaking text message:

"Charlie - I'm very sorry to relay the news of the sudden passing of our friend Greg Thompson , who died in his sleep this morning. It was God's great blessing to have Greg as my friend." - Mike Dowdle.

I met Greg through Mike.

I had expressed interest in learning about entrepreneurs who had transitioned from business operators to philanthropists, and Mike recommended Greg, making the introduction. What followed was immensely valuable - three interviews spanning over six hours. We discussed his specialty insurance business that provided his wealth, and then he was incredibly transparent about his journey of "giving money away" - his transformation into a philanthropist.

He held nothing back. What I remember most from our interviews was:

1. There was no question I asked that he would not answer

2. He had incredible humility

3. He trusted God, who he believed gave him this wealth and was now guiding him in philanthropy

I can honestly say, "I never met a man like Greg." His life was an open book, and the stories and experiences he shared with me were unforgettable. They remain with me today.

I ran into Greg last October in Phoenix while attending The National Christian Foundation's "Impact 2024" conference. Greg and I happened to attend the same session where he introduced me to his niece, a wife and mother living in Vermont. I asked, "What brings you here?" She explained that her uncle had paid for her to attend. She continued, "Last year he asked for my help. He offered to give me money to give away. He wanted me to join him in managing his giving."

Sharing the joy of giving to the next generation is of high interest to me, and here Greg was already doing it with his niece. What was remarkable about our three-way conversation was that neither Greg nor his niece had any idea how special their actions were. I had tremendous respect for Greg for including his niece in his giving and equal respect for his niece taking on this responsibility in her busy life.

I got her number and asked if I could call her to learn about her experience. She agreed but said, “I’m not sure I can help you as I have no idea what I am doing.”

I then asked Greg if he would mentor me on this journey from operator/businessman to philanthropist. He said, "I'll be happy to help, but you need to understand we'll learn as we go. But I'm happy to share what I've learned and how I screwed up."

I promised to call Greg after the holidays.

His name came up in my reminder system on January 15th, but I was overwhelmed at the time and reset the reminder for February 15th. On February 11th, I learned from Mike that Greg had died in his sleep. As I write this, I am preparing to attend his funeral at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Today is February 15th. The day I was supposed to call him. Now, the day of his funeral. I missed my chance to spend more time with Greg and learn from him. This is my loss!

The news of Greg's sudden passing deeply affected me. It made me think about how precious life is - how we're here one minute and literally gone the next. Initially, I tried to push past the news, but at 3 AM the day after I heard the news of his passing, I woke with a start, my heart racing. I was having a mild anxiety attack. I took some Tylenol to calm down, but sleep wouldn't come. I got up to read, think, and pray.

I realized it was Greg's death weighing on me. This shocking news had settled in my subconscious. He was as healthy as anyone I knew. He was my age, on purpose for God, and had a wonderful wife, daughter, and large extended family. He was a great steward of all God had given him, living this seventies decade of his life with impact. And then he was gone. Just like that - GONE.

This reality has deeply affected me, and I'm not sure what to do with these thoughts and feelings. I'm getting dressed now to head to Greg's funeral service. I think this is a good next step.

His funeral was well attended. What struck me was the love and respect his family had for him. I was also impacted by my friend Mike and his grief at this loss. But most of all I was amazed at the strength of Greg’s wife, Mary. As she walked up the aisle at the end of the service, I could see in her eyes that she knew she was married to a good man and man of God.

I hope one day I get to meet her.

In the meantime, Mary and the family are in my prayers.