John Edd Thompson
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John Edd Thompson is the chief meteorologist for WALA-TV in Mobile, Alabama. Thompson has been reporting the weather for people on the central Gulf Coast since 1969.
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[edit] Life and Career
Thompson, a Mobile native earned his degrees in meteorology and communications from Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama respectively. As a life-long resident of an area prone to hurricanes and other tropical systems, Thompson was bound to cover at least one major system projected to make landfall close to home in his career. From Hurricane Frederic to the disastrous 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Thompson was always there for viewers eager for information and calmness. Even after the loss of his home of 28 years (14 years full-time) on Dauphin Island south of Mobile County due to Hurricane Katrina, Thompson never lost hope or the touch he had with the viewers who have loved and cherished him through the years.
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.
[edit] Awards and Recognition
Since the Press-Register 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.
[edit] Trivia
John Edd Thompson is affectionately referred to by the acronym "JET" on occasion.
His acting roles consist of three movies (including one television movie) and one TV guest appearance:
- Soultaker (News Anchor)
- In the Heat of the Night ("Baliff" in episode "Unfinished Business")
- Bloodlines: Murder in the Family (Jail Guard)
- Felony (Reporter)
He also made a cameo appearance in the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which was filmed in Mobile and surrounding areas.
