Roll Call Tribute
Tommie Thompson '68 July 21, 2021 3:40 PM updated: July 21, 2021 3:48 PM
Tommie Norman Thompson
August 02, 1938 - July 10, 2021
Tommie Norman Thompson, 82, of Lago Vista, Texas died peacefully at home on Saturday, July 10, 2021. He was born on August 2, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Hugh and Wessie (Elmore) Thompson. He married Dawn Mann-Thompson on October 11, 1997 and she was by his side until the end. He had one brother, the late Hugh "Buck" Thompson. He married his first wife Renee, the mother of his children, on January 3, 1962. They were married for 31 years and had two sons, Roland Jeffrey "Jeff" (Erica) Thompson and Curtis Lee (Karen) Thompson.
He graduated high school from Stone Mountain High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia in 1956, where he joined the Navy Reserves in 1955. He started pilot training in 1959 and so began his lifelong love of flying. He was assigned to strategic air command, flying the B47 and B52. He stood alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Tommie completed a tour at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. While there he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, graduating in 1968. Tommie was stationed at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand during the Vietnam War, where he flew RF-4's in 118 combat missions. After the war he returned to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas and finished his Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1972. In all he dedicated 22 years to the United States Air Force, eventually retiring in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his years of service Tommie was awarded The Combat Readiness Medal in 1966, three Air Force Commendation Medals, six Air Medals, The Distinguished Flying Cross twice in 1969 and The Bronze Star Medal in 1970.
When Tommie retired from the United States Air Force he was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. He decided to stay in Anchorage after accepting a position at ARCO (BP) as an Engineer. While at ARCO, Tommie's team was awarded the Environmental Achievement Award in 1992 for their work on the Kuparuk Pitless Drilling Project. He was also a part owner of Stratolift, an aviation cargo company in Alaska that operated three C97's, hauling fish and fuel to the bush and helped to start the Pickle Barrel Deli.
He retired to Lago Vista, Texas in 1994 where he built his dream house on the 8th green of the Highland Lakes Golf Course. He golfed and sang karaoke and was the life of every party, enjoying his retirement to the fullest. He never missed an A&M football game and was always ready to have a gin-and-tonic. He was loved and will be missed by his many friends.
He was a member of the American Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Tau Beta Pi Fraternity, MOAA, VFW, AFA, Quiet Birdman and the Daedalians.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Dawn Mann-Thompson, his sons Jeff (Erica) and Lee (Karen), his grandchildren Madison, Reagan, Maeve and Liam, three nephews and Renee, the mother of his children. He also leaves behind many friends and in-laws who loved him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Wessie, and his brother, Buck.
Graveside services and burial will be held Monday (July 19, 2021) at 3:00 p.m. at the Old Washington Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council. Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge is handling local arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Lakeside Christian Fellowship Church in Lago Vista, TX, Disabled American Veterans at PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301 or the Texas A&M Foundation at 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840.
© 2006 - 21 Thorn-Black Funeral Homes, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
August 02, 1938 - July 10, 2021
Tommie Norman Thompson, 82, of Lago Vista, Texas died peacefully at home on Saturday, July 10, 2021. He was born on August 2, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Hugh and Wessie (Elmore) Thompson. He married Dawn Mann-Thompson on October 11, 1997 and she was by his side until the end. He had one brother, the late Hugh "Buck" Thompson. He married his first wife Renee, the mother of his children, on January 3, 1962. They were married for 31 years and had two sons, Roland Jeffrey "Jeff" (Erica) Thompson and Curtis Lee (Karen) Thompson.
He graduated high school from Stone Mountain High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia in 1956, where he joined the Navy Reserves in 1955. He started pilot training in 1959 and so began his lifelong love of flying. He was assigned to strategic air command, flying the B47 and B52. He stood alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Tommie completed a tour at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. While there he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, graduating in 1968. Tommie was stationed at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand during the Vietnam War, where he flew RF-4's in 118 combat missions. After the war he returned to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas and finished his Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1972. In all he dedicated 22 years to the United States Air Force, eventually retiring in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his years of service Tommie was awarded The Combat Readiness Medal in 1966, three Air Force Commendation Medals, six Air Medals, The Distinguished Flying Cross twice in 1969 and The Bronze Star Medal in 1970.
When Tommie retired from the United States Air Force he was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. He decided to stay in Anchorage after accepting a position at ARCO (BP) as an Engineer. While at ARCO, Tommie's team was awarded the Environmental Achievement Award in 1992 for their work on the Kuparuk Pitless Drilling Project. He was also a part owner of Stratolift, an aviation cargo company in Alaska that operated three C97's, hauling fish and fuel to the bush and helped to start the Pickle Barrel Deli.
He retired to Lago Vista, Texas in 1994 where he built his dream house on the 8th green of the Highland Lakes Golf Course. He golfed and sang karaoke and was the life of every party, enjoying his retirement to the fullest. He never missed an A&M football game and was always ready to have a gin-and-tonic. He was loved and will be missed by his many friends.
He was a member of the American Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Tau Beta Pi Fraternity, MOAA, VFW, AFA, Quiet Birdman and the Daedalians.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Dawn Mann-Thompson, his sons Jeff (Erica) and Lee (Karen), his grandchildren Madison, Reagan, Maeve and Liam, three nephews and Renee, the mother of his children. He also leaves behind many friends and in-laws who loved him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Wessie, and his brother, Buck.
Graveside services and burial will be held Monday (July 19, 2021) at 3:00 p.m. at the Old Washington Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council. Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge is handling local arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Lakeside Christian Fellowship Church in Lago Vista, TX, Disabled American Veterans at PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301 or the Texas A&M Foundation at 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840.
© 2006 - 21 Thorn-Black Funeral Homes, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
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