Jack Wendell “Tommy” Thompson, age 97, passed away on October 12, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Monday, October 16, 2017 at Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South with burial following in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be an open viewing from noon to 5pm on Sunday at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Vernie Mildred Thompson. His children are Henry “Hank” Thompson of Cypress, Texas, Jack W. Thompson, Jr. of Spring, Texas and Katherine Thompson of Austin, Texas. His grandchildren include John Thompson, Thomas Thompson (deceased), Tammy Wicker, Glenn Thompson and Johnny Russell.
Lt. Col. Tommy Thompson made a career of the U.S. Air Force serving 30 years. He was active as a flight instructor in WWII, fought in the Korean War and flew C-130 airplanes in Vietnam War. He ended his Air Force career by retiring from Dyess Air Force Base, in 1973.
While in the Air Force he obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University. Following his Air Force retirement he taught business administration classes at McMurry University for 10 years before retiring again.
Tommy was a member of the John Salyer Lodge number 1408 and had been a mason for 69 years.