Joseph Allen Tinley Thompson was born circa 1906 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to William Elijah and Fannie Ester Thompson. The family moved to Topeka, Kansas when Thompson was 6 months old. He graduated from Topeka public schools and, after World War II, he returned to school, earning a Bachelor's degree in sociology from Washburn University and a Master's degree in social work from the University of Chicago.

In 1951, Thompson went to work as a psychiatric social worker at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; he worked there for 26 years. He also worked as a social worker at Topeka's Menninger Foundation.

Thompson was highly active in the Boy Scouts; in 1924 he became Scoutmaster for Topeka's Troop 22, at that time the town's only African American troop. He earned several awards for his Scouting work, including the Silver Beaver and the St. George Award. He also served on the Jayhawk Area Council's Board.

Thompson also served as an American Cancer Society volunteer for over 40 years and at the Red Cross for over 80 years. He was named Volunteer of the Year by the former group and was made a lifetime director by the latter group. He received the JC Penny Golden Rule Award, a Washburn University Distinguished Alumni Award, and, upon recommendation of Senator Nancy Kassebaum, President George H. W. Bush named Thompson his 835th "Point of Light."

An ordained Episcopalian Deacon, Thompson served as deacon in charge at St. Simon Missonary Church and, later, as deacon at Grace Cathedral in Topeka; at the time of his death he was the senior deacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, and he was made a Canon at the Cathedral.

Thompson's wife, Tracy, died in 1956. Joseph A. Thompson died 23 December 2003.