Alexander Robert Thomson was born on March 3, 1952, to Alexander Ironside (Zander) Thomson and Matilda Collingtine (Colleen) Thomson nee Philpott in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He attended Finaghy Primary School and the Royal Belfast Academic Institute. In 1970, he began studies at Ambassador College in Bricket Wood, England. Following his mother’s death in 1971, Alexander paused his studies for a year, during which he returned to Belfast and worked for James Mackie and Sons. During this year, he witnessed and experienced The Troubles. He resumed studies at Ambassador College, Bricket Wood, and in 1973 transferred to Ambassador College, Pasadena, California, from which he graduated in 1975. He briefly worked for the Worldwide Church of God in Pasadena.
Alexander met the love of his life, Rita Mathwig, in Pasadena, and they were married on July 25, 1976. The couple resided in Pasadena, and their children were born there. Alexander began working in software development. He was employed by Pennsylvania Life Insurance Company, Wismer Associates, and SunGard Insurance Systems. Leaving corporate employment, he spent a few years on entrepreneurial projects. Alexander and family moved to Roswell, Georgia, when he resumed employment with SunGard Insurance Systems in 1995. He remained with the company when it merged with Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., continuing until his retirement in 2018.
Alexander was kind, generous, and compassionate. He was an active member of Roswell United Methodist Church. He assisted in the Job Networking ministry, taught Sunday School, and was a Stephen minister for over ten years. He went on international mission trips to Brazil, Peru, and Guatemala and domestic trips to assist in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
Friends and family knew Alexander for his wry, whimsical, and charming personality. He loved to make others laugh and share in the laughter. He enjoyed traveling with Rita and their children. One memorable trip was when the children were young; the family traveled by car from Minnesota to California seeing many national parks along the way. Another was the European river cruise Alexander and Rita took to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
Alexander is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rita, of Roswell; his son and daughter-in-law, Winston and Cleo Thomson, of El Segundo, California; his daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Ryan Simmons, of Rome, Georgia; one granddaughter, Lily Simmons; his sister, Elizabeth (Libby) Matthews, of Abermule, Wales; three nephews, Mark Matthews of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Craig Matthews of Graz, Austria, and Luke Matthews of London, England, and other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents Zander and Colleen Thomson and a stillborn son, Gordon.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday January 27 from 4 to 8 pm at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA. A memorial service to celebrate Alexander’s life will be held on Wednesday January 28 beginning at 10 am in the chapel at Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell, GA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation or volunteer at a charity that helps others in Alexander’s memory.
Alexander will be missed for his wit, his humor, his intelligence, and his big heart for others.
To offer your condolences and share cherished memories, please visit www.roswellfuneralhome.com.
