John Lester Thompson III (May 11, 1926 – May 2, 2004) was an American prelate of the Episcopal Church who served as Bishop of Northern California from 1978 until 1991.
He initially served as a curate at St Mark's Church in Toledo, Ohio.
During that time, he was also a board member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and as its president for one year.
[2] In April 1978, Thompson was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Northern California on the 22nd ballot.
[3] He was consecrated on September 21, 1978 in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacramento, California by Presiding Bishop John Allin, and subsequently succeeded as diocesan upon Bishop Haden's retirement that same month.