Mr. Guy Lance Thompson

Celebrating The Life Of Guy Lance Thompson: Guy Lance Thompson was born on July 12, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan. His parents, Juanita Thompson and McKinley William Thompson believed in the value of education so they enrolled Guy in the Waldorf School in Indian Village where he received a stellar education and made many lifelong friends. Guy's education continued at the Catholic Central High School where he obtained his diploma. Upon graduation, he attended Mercy College of Detroit receiving a degree in Psychology. He earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and later completed a 13-month graduate program in Family and Consumer Resources at Wayne State University. Guy had an amazing penchant for spreading joy and enthusiasm among all who knew him. His sense of humor was infectious. He encouraged others, shaped lives, saved families and had an uncanny capability of “seeing through situations” in other words, he was very analytical. The lives that he touched and the work that he performed can only be described as phenomenal. His spectacular way with words and his sense of humor were unparalleled. Guy was on the Board of Directors for the Shiawassee Village Management Association as well as the Board of Directors of the Waldorf School. Guy and six associates started a travel agency. After all, Guy loved to take cruises. Guy dedicated his life and career to assisting children and families, particularly those involved in the child welfare system. Most recently, he was employed as Manager, Family Preservation and Prevention Services, Children’s Services Agency. Prior to that Guy was a direct service worker and supervisor in residential services for youth, and a counseling supervisor for a runaway services program. Guy has championed the cause of family preservation services in Michigan where he has worked as a trainer, consultant and coordinator for more than 20 years . He played a significant role in developing new programs and expanding existing services to reach more Michigan families including, Families First of Michigan, Family Group Decision Making, Family Reunification Program and Families together building Solutions. In 1992 he appeared on the Bill Moyers Public Affairs Television Show advocating for the Families First Program. Guy was well-known and highly respected among his public and private agency colleagues in child welfare. He will be remembered for his compassion, understanding, strength-based approach, and extensive knowledge of preservation programming. Guy’s vast knowledge and experience were sought after by other states and other countries. Most recently, he hosted a delegation from the Ministry of Social and Family Development from Singapore that expressed an interest in replicating Michigan’s family preservation approach. Guy has taught courses throughout the United States as well as in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands and Israel. In 2014, former Director of Michigan Department of Community Health, James Haveman presented Guy with an award for his support of Early Childhood Home Visitation; in 2015 he received an award for achievements in Family Preservation and in 2017, he received an Angel Award from the Ruth Ellis Center for his leadership in and support of LGBTQ programs.

Mr. Guy Lance Thompson

July 12, 1960 - January 23, 2018