Tom Leroy Thompson

Tom LeRoy Thompson

1925-2021

Tom was born on October 10, 1925 in Yoakum, TX to Grover Cleveland Thompson and Lula Beasley Thompson. He died peacefully at home on January 1, 2021 at the age of 95.

Tom grew up on a farm in Yoakum, Texas where he spent his days riding horses and pigs, and tending to his chores. After graduation from Yoakum High School, he went to serve as a U.S. Merchant Marine. During WWII he served on ships delivering equipment between the East Coast U.S. and England. He derived great satisfaction from his service on the ship. After returning home, he met his wife, (Eleanor) Francis Teas and they were married in Corpus Christi, TX on July 7, 1950.

Before they knew it, Tom and Francis were on an adventure to start a new life in the Great Northwest. They settled in Seattle and on July 22, 1958, the couple welcomed their son, Lee Colvin Thompson, into the family. Tom had not been in communication with his son for many years, but he wished to express to Lee his continued love and devotion before he died.

Tom was a true southern gentleman. He treated everyone with respect and made everyone he met feel important. His personality served him well as a salesman in the Seattle area for many years. He loved the outdoors so the family spent many summer vacations camping with their Camper Club. He loved riding motorcycles and rigged up a side car to his Harley for passengers to ride along. Tom’s mother, Lula, was an artist and Tom inherited her creativity and love for the arts. He was a prolific painter in oils. He was involved in Community Theater in Olympia where he was known for his soft-shoe dancing. He and Francis would go to Pioneer Square and listen to jazz music in their leisure time. In later years, the Seahawks and politics took up a lot of his life – both a little aggravating at times.

Tom was a Christian man. He was an active member of Beverly Park First Baptist Church in Seattle, WA until he lost a lot of his mobility. He loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. Tom requested that no services be held in his memory. Francis preceded Tom in death on 3/30/2011. Tom and Francis’s remains will be interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Yoakum, TX alongside several family members. Remembrances may be made to a memorial fund at Northwest Baptist Foundation .

Share memories of Tom on the tribute wall, located above.

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle