Clifford W. Tompson

Clifford W. Tompson, of Columbia, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 am Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the First Christian Church, Columbia. A time for fellowship will follow at the church. Burial will be private for the family.

Clifford W. Tompson was born in Mexico, MO, on December 12, 1929 to Willard D. and Nellie Gray (Vaughn) Tompson, the third of four sons. He attended public schools in Moberly, MO, and graduated from Moberly Junior College (now MACC) in 1949. He then attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, where he received the degrees BA (1951), MA (1956), and PhD (1960) in Physics.

He was employed (1951-1955) by the Navy Electronics Laboratory in San Diego, CA, in a program of research, development, and testing of specialized underwater sound devices. He joined the faculty of the Physics Department as Instructor at UMC in 1959 following his graduate studies and served there until he retired as Professor in 1992. His research programs were primarily in studies of the properties and characteristics of condensed matter using X-ray and neutron scattering techniques. The University of Missouri was well equipped for such work because of the unique facilities of its Research Reactor.

Clifford served as Director of Undergraduate Studies in Physics for several years and had a deep commitment to undergraduate students. He received several awards for outstanding teaching and in 1988 received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the College of Arts and Sciences. He was named Emeritus Professor upon his retirement and was greatly honored when his colleagues and friends established the Clifford W. Tompson Scholarship in Physics. Although retired in 1992, he continued to teach his favorite courses for several more years.

Clifford was married to Mary F. Humphrey on August 21, 1951, and they became the parents of three children, Dr. Julia G. Johnson (husband Dr. Anton) of Springfield, IL, Mary Elizabeth Jorgensen (husband Thomas) of Coralville, IA, and Clifford Tompson, Jr. (wife Mae) of Crystal, NM.

He loved the outdoors and for much of his life enjoyed many hunting and fishing opportunities with his friends. He loved being with his hunting dogs Ogie, Lady, and Dutchie. In 1970, he bravely took his family on a wonderful camping trip across the country to California. He also found a rewarding hobby in woodworking and in later life took great delight in making furniture items for his children and grandchildren whenever requested.

Clifford was an active member of the First Christian Church in Columbia for more than 60 years. He served as elder and held many church offices through the years, including three terms as Moderator of the church board.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Julia and son, Clifford, Jr.; grandchildren, Katie and Sarah Johnson, Brooke (Jorgensen) Braem and her husband Paul, Amanda (Jorgensen) Mize and her husband Brandon, Elizabeth Jorgensen, and Colin Tompson and his wife Josie; brother, Dr. Robert V. Tompson and his wife Vivian of Moberly, MO; nine great grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces, including special nephews James and Hans Humphrey, and special sister-in-law June Ann Humphrey. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Carroll G. Tompson of Winston-Salem, NC, and Willard D. Tompson and his wife Esther of Vernon, BC, Canada. Beloved daughter Mary Elizabeth Jorgensen sadly passed away in October 2020.

Clifford leaves a legacy of love and integrity with his family and those who knew him. He has left behind wonderful memories of a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. We are grateful for each and every day we got to see his wonderful smile and share in his love. We will miss him more than words can ever express.

Those who wish may leave memorials to the First Christian Church in Columbia, the Clifford W. Tompson Scholarship in Physics at UMC (407 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211), or to a charity of their choice.