Remembering Dr. Lanze Jeffrey Thompson Sr.
The GlobalMindED community mourns the loss of Dr. Lanze Jeffrey Thompson Sr. (62) who passed away peacefully at his home in Powder Springs, Georgia on March 14, 2024, after bravely battling cancer for four years. Lanze was GlobalMindED's Board Chair who took over after Bernie Milano during COVID, leading our group until his cancer returned, at which point Ken Epps assumed the role. We met Lanze when he was with Clark Atlanta, and immediately saw that he had a passion for HBCUs and serving students. He was a favorite speaker at GlobalMindED and at our event at Georgia Tech. Lanze was a great leader and a wonderful man, and he leaves a lasting legacy. The GlobalMindED community is grateful that we were beneficiaries of his many gifts, talents, and generous spirit. He will be missed.
Please see his obituary:
As a child of the Boston housing projects, Lanze possessed a tenacious spirit that propelled him to excel against all odds. He had a strong, lifelong affinity with lions as they represented power, courage, strength, and fearlessness. These characteristics carried him through life. As the valedictorian of his high school class, not only did Lanze excel in the classroom, he was also an outstanding athlete. Lanze received numerous sports scholarships but chose an academic trajectory by accepting an academic scholarship to Colby College where he graduated with a BA in Economics. He received his MBA from Boston College and went on to earn his Doctorate in Business from Pace University with concentrations in Global Marketing Strategy and International Business – graduating first in his class.
Lanze had over 35 years of executive leadership at Fortune 100 companies such as Ford Motor Company, Kraft Food/Phillip Morris, Alcoa, Con Edison, PSEG, and Time Warner/CNN, with oversight for both national and international operations ranging across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. But it was his contributions in higher education at Kennesaw State University and as CFO at Clark Atlanta University that brought him the most fulfillment. Most recently he served as a board member of Emory Winship Cancer Institute and board chair for GlobalMindED.
An avid writer from an early age, Lanze published seventeen books throughout his lifetime, ending with My Walk Through the Valley of The Shadow of Death Trilogy; a reflection of his spiritual journey after being diagnosed with cancer, and Black Wounds, The Pains, Scars, and Triumphs of Black America. He was particularly passionate about social justice and before his passing, established the Dr. Lanze J. Thompson Black Wounds Social Justice and DEI Award at Pace University. The annual award will promote the Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media program at the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences.
Aside from a successful career and numerous accolades, Lanze believed in putting the Holy Trinity first; God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. He will be remembered for his love of family and friends, persevering spirit, mentorship, unending kindness, big laugh, and commitment to being a better person than he was the day before. An avid sports enthusiast, he loved the New York Yankees because they represent unity (only numbers, no names on jerseys), the Boston Celtics (the first team to hire a Black player and a Black coach, and because of Bill Russell’s dignity in the face of injustice), and the Miami Dolphins (1972 perfect winning season and Super Bowl champs).
In 2008 Lanze married Renee and the journey of love, friendship, and kindred spirits began. They loved being in each other’s presence and shared a love of tennis; playing together every chance they could and traveling to professional tournaments. They also loved traveling to sunny places – one of his favorites was Mazatlán, Mexico.
Lanze is survived by his wife, Remilla Renee Thompson; sons, Lanze Thompson Jr. (Antora), Anderson Thompson, William Bridges III; grandson, Lyric Thompson; siblings, Robin Thompson, Daniel Thompson (Della), Michel Thompson (Monica), Jaymie White (Reggie), Patrick Thompson, Rhonda Neal, Andrea Williams, Raqib Jones (Julie) and Laina Joseph (Duane); In-laws, Kurt Smith (Natasha), and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who are family-in-love.
The funeral service will be held at Mount Paran North Church of God, 1700 Allgood Road, Marietta GA 30062 on March 26, 2024, at 11:00 am.
The family of Dr. Lanze Thompson requests that memorial gifts be designated for Cholangiocarcinoma Research at Emory Healthcare; Winship Cancer Institute. Please make checks payable to “Emory” and mail to Winship Cancer Institute, c/o Emory Advancement; 1762 Clifton Road NE, Ste 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322, or donate online .
