Joseph Earl Thompson

On July 25th, Joseph Earl Thompson Sr. left this earthly realm. He was with his wife of almost 47 years, Wyline Gardner Thompson and just like they celebrated their anniversaries, she held his hands. Then said, “it is done” as he took his last breath and gained his heavenly wings.

Joe was born in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina on July 26th, 1950 and would have celebrated his 72nd birthday. He was born to Rev. Jesse Moore and Esther Jean Miller Thompson. As a military family, he lived in Germany and that was his first language. He is the third son and has three brothers, Jesse Benjamin (JB), Jimmy, John and two sisters, Esther Carol, and Henrietta Sadie Jean. He grew up in McAlester, Oklahoma in an A.M.E. family of preachers.

Joe graduated from L’Ouverture High School in McAlester in 1968 and went on to Langston University, an HBCU, where he graduated in 1972. While at Langston, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity following in the footsteps of his two older brothers. His first big job as a chemist was with Dow Chemical Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Joe married his wife Wyline Gardner on November 28th, 1975. From this union, they have three children, Jessica Marie, Joseph Earl II, and Jamie Elizabeth.

The Thompsons moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Houston, Texas in 1979 since he was transferred to continue to work in the oil industry. Over the years, he worked for several oil field companies and had the opportunity to present papers for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Joe has written and presented many scientific technical papers, traveled to work in Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Columbia, India, Venezuela, Scotland, Mexico, and many visits to Russia and several states in the US. He is blessed to have his name on several oil fluid patents. He retired from The Keane Group in February 2019.

Joe and Wyline loved to travel and have vacationed in Germany, France, Switzerland, Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Hong Kong, Tiawan, Malaysia, Hawaii, and South Africa, and many states in the US.

The Thompsons joined Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1980 under the leadership of Rev. Ruben Brazil. Joe supported many Pastors that have come through the church. He comes from a musical family and has a great singing voice. He sang solos and was a member of the Inspirational Choir which traveled for concerts to Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida, and Arizona. He was a church Steward, a Lay member and president of the local Lay, member of the Brotherhood, and a member of the Men’s Chorus. Also, a long-time member of MHUT-Metropolitan Houston Upward Trend Inc. which gives out scholarships to help youth attend college.

To cherish his memories, Joe leaves his loving wife Wyline, his three children, Jessica (Stephen) Mullins, Joseph Earl Thompson II (Barbara), Jamie Elizabeth (Damon) Putch. He is also survived by his wonderful grandchildren: Cameron Thompson, Julian Rogers, Autumn Thompson, Josiah Thompson, Joseph Thompson III, twins Jamie and Jessica Thompson, Josephine Mullins, and Danté Putch. His brothers Jesse (Maxine) Thompson, James (Judith) Thompson, John Thompson, Esther Carol (Jeffrey), Henrietta Thompson.

Funeral Services will be on Friday, August 5th, 2022, with viewing from 11:00 am - 11:30 am, Omega Omega service from 11:40 am - 12:00 pm and the Homegoing Celebration at 12 Noon at St. Paul A.M.E. Church. It is located at 1554 Gears Rd. Houston, Texas. 77067 with Rev. Kevin Nesmith Officiating and Rev. James Thompson for the Eulogy. The interment will follow at Forrest Park Westheimer.

Acknowledgements:

The family wants to thank everyone that prayed, sent cards, called, texted, sent food, sent baskets, flowers, ran errands, and donated to the scholarship fund and helped us during this challenging time. We also want to thank Mr. Charles Towe, Director at Brookside Cypress Creek Funeral Home for his caring assistance.