John Edd Thompson, a beloved meteorologist for WALA-TV and WKRG-TV, passed away on May 5, 2025, at the age of 82. Born in Mobile, Alabama, Thompson made his most significant mark at WALA-TV, though his impact extended far beyond one station, touching colleagues across networks including WKRG-TV.
Family and Early Life
Born in Mobile to John Edd Thompson Sr. and Bennie Dunn Thompson, John Edd attended Barton Academy and Murphy High School before enrolling at the University of Alabama. He later earned a degree in meteorology from Mississippi State University, building the foundation for his future career.
- He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children, Lisa England (Kirk Lamb) and John Edd Thompson III (Lana); his sister, Jeanne Schemensky; his brother, William Thompson; and four grandchildren: Bradford Thompson (Bekah), Caroline Kaplan Rosen (Matt), Tanner Kaplan, and Grace Thompson.
From Radio DJ to Weather Icon
Thompson’s love for entertainment began well before his television weather career. His early professional life started behind a microphone as a radio DJ in Moss Point, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge, where he became known for “performing outlandish stunts” — including a famous 23-hour ride on a Ferris wheel. His radio career eventually brought him back to Mobile, Alabama, where he worked at WABB under the on-air persona “Buddy Starr.”
His broadcasting journey included time at WKRG as an announcer before he moved to WALA, where he began his weather career in 1977, eventually becoming Chief Meteorologist. For decades, Thompson guided Gulf Coast viewers through sunny skies and devastating storms with calm authority and a reassuring presence.
- One of the defining moments of Thompson’s career came during Hurricane Katrina coverage (August 2005), when he learned live on-air that his Dauphin Island home had been destroyed —— yet he continued broadcasting with professionalism and composure. This moment of grace under pressure exemplified his dedication to his viewers and profession.
Throughout his career, Thompson embraced unique opportunities, including flying with the Blue Angels and joining the Hurricane Hunters on two missions.
- Buffet Connection: Outside of broadcasting, Thompson had a deep passion for music and songwriting. In the late 1960s, he co-founded Product Sound Studio in Mobile, where a young Jimmy Buffett recorded some of his first songs. Among his proudest musical achievements was composing “Look at Them Jaguars,” an anthem for the University of South Alabama.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Thompson received numerous accolades, winning multiple “Best Weather Anchor” awards. In 2005, The Press Club of Mobile honored him with its John Harris Achievement Award, presented for consistently excellent contributions to news media.
- Thompson’s family held a private memorial service following his passing. Those wishing to honor his memory may make donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile, reflecting his commitment to the Gulf Coast community he served and entertained for decades.
John Edd Thompson leaves behind a legacy not just of accurate weather forecasts, but of bringing warmth, humor, and musical creativity to television viewers across the Gulf Coast region for nearly half a century. As his obituary beautifully states, “His legacy lives on in the skies he studied, the songs he wrote, and the lives he touched.”