Morris Thompson facts for kids

Morris "Morrie" Thompson (September 11, 1939 – January 31, 2000) was an important leader for Alaska Natives. He was also a successful American businessman. Thompson worked in government, helping with issues related to Alaska Native people. He was well-known for leading the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Alaska during the 1970s. Later, he became the head of Doyon, Limited, a big company for Alaska Natives in Interior Alaska. Sadly, Morris Thompson, his wife, and one of his daughters died in a plane crash while returning from vacation.

Early Life and Work

Morris Thompson was born on September 11, 1939, in Tanana, Alaska. His father was from Indiana, and his mother, Alice Grant, was a Koyukon Athabaskan Native.

School and First Jobs

Thompson went to Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. After high school, he studied civil engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. On October 5, 1963, he married Thelma Mayo in Tanana. In 1964, he got a job at RCA's Gilmore Creek Satellite Tracking Station near Fairbanks. He had attended an electrical technician school in Los Angeles first.

Working in Government

In 1966, Thompson met Walter Hickel, a businessman who was running for governor. Morris helped with Hickel's campaign. Because of this, Thompson became Governor Hickel's deputy director for rural development. The next year, he worked on a plan to build transportation routes. This plan aimed to help develop rural areas of Alaska.

When Richard Nixon became president, he chose Hickel to be the United States Secretary of the Interior. Thompson moved to Washington, D.C., to work as a special assistant for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 1970, Thompson became the Bureau of Indian Affairs Area Director in Juneau. In these roles, Thompson was very involved in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. This important law was passed in December 1971. At 34 years old, Thompson became the youngest Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Leading Doyon, Limited

In 1981, Thompson started working for Doyon, Limited. This was a regional company created for Alaska Natives. He began as a Vice-President. In 1985, he became Doyon's President and Chief Officer. At that time, Doyon had lost $28 million. When he retired in 2000, Doyon was earning $70.9 million each year. The company had 900 employees and 14,000 shareholders. Morris Thompson was widely known as a great Native American leader in Alaska.

His Passing

Morris Thompson retired as President of Doyon when he was 60 years old. He lived in Fairbanks, Alaska. To celebrate his retirement, he went on vacation to Mexico with his wife, Thelma, and his daughter, Sheryl.

Sadly, Morris Thompson, his wife, and his daughter died in the crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261. This happened on January 31, 2000, as they were flying back to the United States. Thompson's body was buried in Tanana.

His Lasting Impact

The Morris Thompson Center.

Many things are named after Morris Thompson to honor his memory.

Morris Thompson Center

The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center is in downtown Fairbanks. It opened on August 12, 2008. This center is named after him.

Thompson Drive

The University of Alaska Fairbanks moved its southern entrance. The new road leading to the university was named Thompson Drive in his honor. Thompson had served on the University of Alaska Board of Regents from 1989 to 1993.

Morris Thompson Golf Classic

The Morris Thompson Golf Classic is an event held every year. It is organized by the Doyon Foundation. This event honors Morris Thompson and raises money for a scholarship fund in his name. Since it started, the event has given out 209 scholarships. These scholarships total over $515,180.