In Memoriam: Former NACS President Sam Thompson, Jr.

Thompson led NACS Board in 1973.

August 25, 2014

COPLEY, Ohio – It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Sam Thompson, Jr., former NACS president (1973-74). Thompson died on August 12 at the age of 85, in Copley, Ohio.

Born June 12, 1929, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Thompson went on to attend Valley Forge Military Academy and Colgate University. After graduation, he spent two years in the Air Force. Rather than make the military a career, he started work at supermarket chain Grand Union and during that time earned a master’s degree in food distribution from Michigan State.

While at a grocery convention, Thompson met W.C. Metzger, one of the original NACS founders, who had some convenience stores in Florida. Metzger talked him into joining the business: Pik-Quik. “I was a supermarket man; I thought I was there for the rest of my life, but this guy Metzger sold me on the idea of the convenience store,” recalled Thompson, years later. “It was something new — I liked that idea, something new that you had to go in and make it work.”

During his career, Thompson also spent time at Kroger and Lil General and served as a consultant to the industry, as well as serving as president of the Lawson Milk Company from 1977 to 1982.

Thompson was elected president of the NACS Board of Directors in 1973 and during his time at the helm was instrumental in establishing the convenience store Educational Council.

NACS continued to grow by leaps and bounds during Sam’s tenure as NACS president. 1973 marked the association’s most ambitious schedule yet for seminars, with 12 total. And for first time, the association’s annual meeting offered an Equipment Exhibit — the first expo. That year, under Thompson’s leadership, the board also approved a plan to keep one year’s worth of revenue in cash reserves.

One of the most significant events of Sam’s tenure was the 1973 oil crisis, which led to gasoline shortages, politicians’ calls for a national gas-rationing program and President Nixon’s request that gas retailers not sell fuel on Saturday nights or Sundays.

By the end of Thompson’s leadership in 1974, the industry was comprised of roughly 20,000 stores operating in 48 states and generating nearly 4% of total grocery sales in 26 of these states. The convenience store industry had solidified its presence as the fastest-growing retail channel in the United States.

NACS interviewed Sam several years ago about his service to the industry. “I’m so lucky that I was enchanted with the convenience store business,” he said at the time. “Because if you like people — men and women, children — and you like the challenges, believe me there’s a tremendous number of challenges every day, you’re gonna love the convenience store business.”

Sam also said that he wanted to be known as “a loving husband, a loving father, a caring grandparent — those are the most important — and as somebody who was always fair with his employees and treated them with respect.” 

A memorial service was held for family and friends in Copley, on Sunday, August 17. In lieu of flowers, it was requested that donations be made to the charity of your choice in his memory.

Sam was preceded in death by his loving wife, Tommie, and sister, Clare. He is survived by his three sons, Sam, Brett (Brenda), Mark; four grandchildren, Courtney, Taylor, Mark, Kara; and niece, Karen Hatt.

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