Eli Thompson 1973-2009
Eli Thompson 1973-2009
UPDATE: A website has been created to help raise funds for Eli’s family. Please follow the link below to see his memorial website
It absolutely devastates us to have to write that earlier today in Lautterbrunnen, Switzerland, our brother Eli passed away. Words will never be able to sum up any person’s life and the effect that they had on the world. This is especially true when speaking of Eli.
The smallest guy on the team had the biggest presence in any room or any airplane. Eli’s story is one of love and innovation. He fell in love with flying at the age of 19. From his first jump he was hooked. It was that love that pushed him to innovate in the sport. As one of the pioneers of freeflying he changed the perception of what it meant to be a skydiver. His ideas and his vision made him part of skydiving history and earned him multiple World Championships and World Records.
Most impressive was his love and dedication to his family. There is no doubt that his wife and two beautiful daughters were his first priority. You could see the smile on his face, over the phone, when he announced that he and Sarah were expecting a little boy. His eyes would light up whenever they were around or whenever he could brag about them. Eli was a textbook example of a loving husband and a perfect father.
His love for life was infectious making each minute pure magic. Eli’s passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts and our lives. He was and always will be the man. Thank you for all the good times man. We love you.
(35 votes, average: 4.57 out of 5)
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Dear Sarah,
Eli trained me and many of my mexican friends. It was very sad to hear the news but I just want you to know that he was well appreciated here. An icon in the sport and a friend and happy person. You must be devastated, but at least I hope it helps to know that he will be missed by all of us who met him. Receive a tight hug from Mexico.
We were devasted to hear the news. Our hearts and love go out to Sarah and the kids, Alonzo and Kathleen and the rest of the family.
Many are born. Few Live.
Eli Lived Life to the fullest.
God Bless you Eli.
Frank & Kristin
This is such sad news.. I knew Eli back in the early 90’s when the FLyBoyz were just getting going at Taft and around So Cal..
It’s so sad to lose another great skydiver, but onwards and upwards.
My heartfelt wishes goes out to the family.
blue skies Eli.
Thank you for fascinating so many of us. Eli, you were an amazing friend, mentor, father, husband and athlete. You inspired lots of us and touched many hearts. Fly free & please keep an eye on the ones left on this planet.
Sarah, I am so super sorry for your loss. Please never hesitate to contact me with anything you ma need. Sending you & the kids lots of love!
I grew up wanting to be a freeflyer because of Eli and the Flyboyz. It was a dream come true for me to meet Eli in the SkyVenture Orlando tunnel, and he couldn’t have been a nicer guy! Thank you, Eli, for the sense of adventure you shared with the world! Your life is an inspiration.
May God bless the Thompson family
Eli and have been friends since we were teenagers. And even then he had a spirit larger than life. I remember when he came back from his first jump with his dad and his brother. And how excited he was. And ever since then he knew what he wanted to do it seemed. It was always a joy and a privilege to be around suck a free spirited person. From our days back in good ole SCV to the old Hollywood stomping grounds in that apartment off of Franklin and Twisted Sushi. We had some great times. Eli You Will Be Missed……
i went to junior high and high school with eli. he was always a very nice guy. had his own style and never let anything get to him, especially his height. he always was, and always will remain a well-liked and respected individual.
my sincere condolences to his family!
r.i.p eli =(
Hi..everybody…Im annicas cousin..and Im sooooooo sorry….thinking of U…love U…
Fly free Eli !!!!
I know Kathleen and Alonzo through work. I never had the pleasure of meeting Eli, but I have heard so much about him. I am truly sorry for your loss. His entire family is in my thoughts and my heart.
This is such sad news. I know Kathleen and Alonzo, and Alonzo was always so proud of his famous son. I feel like I knew a little bit of Eli through Alonzo. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family. May he R.I.P.
THE NEWS OF ELI’S PASSING WAS FELT THROUGHOUT OUR OFFICE. THE WHOLE STAFF HERE AT MY DENTAL OFFICE HAS OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WITH SARAH, THE GIRLS AND THE NEW ONE ON THE WAY. ELI WAS FULL OF FUN AND A KIND AND FRIENDLY PERSON SO EVERYONE HERE LOOKED FORWARD TO HIS VISITS. SARAH WE ARE THERE FOR YOU IF YOU NEED ANYTHING.
Blue Skies, Eli
Hi Sarah, this is Jenny from Zumba classes, we’ve only met afew times, I’m the other English one! I’m so sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you and your kids and little peanut on the way. If there is anything I can do for you or if you need anything, I think we live pretty close. Please call me 909 438 0472. You have always brought a big smile to my face everytime I see you dancing with that big belly, so if there is anything I can do please call. Eli, watch over your beautiful family and rest in peace.
Sarah,
My heart goes out to you and the kids. I will be eternally grateful for Eli and his generosity. He once joined a few other friends of mine and helped create my marriage proposal to my wife. Eli and another friend Jon jumped from a plane over Leo Carillo beach down to me and my unsuspecting wife-to-be. Making pink and purple candy canes on their way down under canopy with the smoke flares attached to their ankles, they delivered me the ring to hand to her. I cherish this memory as one of the greatest in my life, and have Eli to thank for that.
Eli you are a well respected individual who touched the hearts of many. My wife Ela found out the horrible news last night and she cryed for many hours. We hope Sarah is surrounded by loved ones at this time. We will miss you Eli a true warrior of the sky.
Our most deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to Sarah and her children and to the whole Thompson family. We only got the pleasure of knowing Eli for such a short time as our neighbors up the road. We are so greatful that we had the chance to spend some time with Eli at his birthday celebration just a short while ago. Even though we only knew him for a short time, we knew he was a wonderful person, husband and father. Full of life and such a wonderful humor, he will surely be missed by all.
All our love and support to Sarah and the family
Eli was Eli. Eli is Eli. In the late 90s @ Perris Valley, he spent some time along with Fritz Phnur in a comical attempt to teach this geezer to freefly. I have a son who at that time was 12 and the shortest kid in his class. He had lost his older brother in a car wreck. He had become quiet & stayed ‘to himself’. Eli intervened, took the time to spend moments with Dan on tow occasions, and nothing could have done more for my son than to find out that being SHORT was where it is AT! Eli gave him a Left Coast Budweiser glass that we still have. Like his hero Eli, Dan is a success and does fine with the ladies. Eli’s children are fortunate to have been fathered by him. The only rude thing Eli ever did was this untimely checkout. I’ll see that grinning face forever. Nic
Eli, Thanks for the Memories! You will be in our hearts forever!
Eli, like all your friends around the world, YOU WILL MISS YOU! Good Bye my friend ;-( AJ (Switzerland)
Fly with the Angels Eli
Hugs to his family and team.
Thank you for your friendship and your smiles. I was not your blood brother but I will always think of you as my little brother. You will continue to live with us to eternity in our thoughts and stories that we will share with those who know you and those who will learn to know you through all of your friends and family. All of my love and thoughts to you and your beautiful family. You have so many great friends that hold you in their hearts, will talk of you often and get a glimpse of that spirit you continue to share with those who know you.
Eli mettait de la magie dans nos sauts. Sa disparition me broie le coeur.
Thanks Eli
Peace N Blue Skies
We are friends with Alonzo and Kathleen and distinctly remember the first time we met Alonzo and hearing about his adoration for Eli and his family. We are so sorry for your loss and sending prayers your way.
Hello, I met eli at the eloy drop zone back in 96 and although we never kept in touch much after that the time i spent there with mike and Eli and kurt remains some of my best memories. My thoughts are with with you in this dark time but have comfort in the fact that he was doing something that he loved.