(Edited Version)

I’d like to share with you the incredible philosophy of my father, John Philp Thompson, Sr. This philosophy is what we need those in positions of social, economic, or political influence to uphold if we are to approach globalization with a humane outlook. His life as both master entrepreneur and avid philanthropist, is proof that one can still achieve “The American Dream” of financial success while living in accordance with philanthropy as an internal belief system. He summed this up well when he said, ”Aggression is key. And by that I don’t mean what most of society thinks...I mean waking up every morning determined to make this day an improvement over the last, not just for yourself but for the people you have a responsibility for. That is what motivates me each morning!”

This type of philanthropist does not ignore the beggar on the street just because he wrote a large check to a food bank’s gala event. This individual does not recognize a difference between the high rate of high-school drop outs and opportunities within his company to create scholarships. This individual sees with open eyes that an extra million for his retirement means less money for practical needs among his employees. This individual would never spend more on his attire for a non-profit ball than he would donate for the cause it is in honor of. This individual recognizes that if he is able to pay for a $300.00 dinner for two, he can also afford to buy coats for the homeless on the street, and does so without fanfare. This individual does not separate his social philanthropy from his day to day life. One such individual was my father, John P.Thompson, CEO of 7-11 for some 30+ years. He summed this up well when he spoke to students at SMU, ”Today the entrepreneur is becoming an endangered species. If we are to improve upon society, society needs to make itself ripe for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow and the entrepreneurs must feel innately responsible for improving upon society today.”

This is the skill that has led other community leaders like, James Moroney III, to say of him, “He was genuine. He was consistent; who you were at your best was who he made you feel like whenever he saw you.“ John also counted being CEO of Oak Farms & Ticketmaster among his many titles. He once said that, “CEO’s are the world’s unelected leaders. We are given positions of power that are conducive to leaders of a small country. Therefore, we are

responsible to make all our decisions with people in mind and not just with the numbers they represent to us.”

Consider for example a gentleman named Hayden Armistead, who once worked for John P.Thompson, Sr. at Oak Farms Dairy. He was ill and bedridden for a year, but instead of firing him, John kept paying him, including his usual Christmas bonus. This man had only met John in passing. But John knew that work was scarce and that the ill man didn’t just represent one man, he recognized that he represented a family that was part of his community. “Many people focus on solving the problem down the line,“ he once said, “But if you prevent the problem from happening, that’s a true success!“ To him an act of prevention via his influence as a CEO was an investment in the welfare of his community. Being able to recognize one’s own power as being connected to the whole of society and to be willing to utilize it is applying the spirit of philanthropy to one’s daily life. Since I was a little girl I heard him say,” The easiest job in the world is to be a critic. Anyone can criticize. Anyone can say, ’Someone ought to do something about that.’. But if you recognize a problem, you should ask yourself ‘What solution do I have to offer?’”

The life of John Philp Thompson, Sr. is an incredible example of this philosophy put into action. Under his guidance Southland Corp. (7-11) raised $81.5 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, prompting Jerry Lewis to write, “you accomplished so much and you and your father before you built a monument, and the good you’ve done will never be forgotten!”. John continued to measure the “monument” of the company not only by the numbers it produced, but by the good it could be harnessed to do. Oak farms became the first national corporate sponsor of The March of Dimes, and 7-11 contributed to the purchase of land for a refuge for the American Bald Eagle. In 1989 the company began a literacy initiative, “People Who Read Achieve”, that continues to raise funding for reading programs based organizations. John didn’t allow the company to overlook the small things either: In a neighboring institute for the blind and handicapped, a playground specially designed for the children has been built....fully equipped with a miniature 7-11! And to this day Fair Park hosts a 7-11 day where employees from the cashier to the CEO turn up to clean up the park.

John Philp Thompson, Sr. continued to serve his community as an avid philanthropist outside of his capacity as a business leader. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Goodwill Industries, The Salvation Army‘s Advisory Board, Dallas Community Chest, Hockaday School and The National Wildlife Federation. He served as a member of the board of directors & president and/or chairman of Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Dallas Community College District Foundation, Presbyterian Healthcare System, State Fair of Texas, Texas Turnpike Authority, Dallas Musicals, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, Chairman of The Chancellor’s Council, on the Executive Committee of the Centennial Commission, a member of the Littlefield Society, The Development Board, The Texas Longhorn Foundation Advisory council, and served in behalf of many more equally deserving causes. In 2002, the Dallas County College district Foundation named him Director Emeritus for his outstanding service and dedication.

But even though John served his community through external philanthropic activities, he still never failed to recognize the positive change he could create simply by recognizing the influence of his decisions within his family business. Although the corporation went public, he continued to operate it as a family business intrinsically connected to the greater community. One employee, Gary Bradbury, wrote, “One event in my career that stands out is when you and Jere decided to put the entire efforts and profits of your multi-billion dollar corporation behind the needs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association...All the ensuing events were the result of your personal insight, concern for your fellowman, and the far reaching impact on you already global corporation”.

When John Philp Thompson, Sr. became ill with brain cancer, his nurse began crying when she heard he had been the CEO of 7-11 during the 80’s, “My nephew had muscular dystrophy and was too tall for the wheel chairs that were available. We were told that to have one specially made would be beyond our means. But when the CEO of 7-11 heard about our situation, he took it upon himself to pay for the wheel chair. But I never knew who that wonderful man was till now...you see, I wanted to thank him somehow, and now I am tending his bedside.”

So you see, fellow entrepreneurs, philanthropists, business and community leaders...we are all connected. Recognizing this fact is a matter of recognizing reality. The choice isn’t if you want to be empowered to make a difference...you already are empowered just by being who you are...the question is what do you want to do with that power? The question isn’t whether or not you wish to affect great change...passivity is a decision, not an avoidance of taking an action. Let us not be passive...let us forge an inner alliance between our concern for our fellowman and our personal insight that will lead us to recognize what we are empowered to do through our day to day jobs...not just after we have completed them. Within those boring stacks of paperwork might just be the missing ingredient in a plan that could help hundreds, possibly thousands, while still benefiting you, the entrepreneur. Take it from me...when I held my father’s hand during his passing, he wasn’t counting the money he had made, he was cherishing the lives he’d touched.