Paul Eugene Thompson

September 25, 1937 - September 9, 2026

Paul Eugene Thompson, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on September 9, 2026. He was born on September 25, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to Percival and Bette Thompson, and grew up in Chicago before the family settled for a time in Mundelein, Illinois, where he attended Libertyville-Fremont High School.

Paul went on to attend the College of William and Mary and earned his law degree from the University of Illinois. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and had a long career in the law. He began practicing alongside his father at Thompson & Thompson in Chicago, and later served as general counsel for Lake County Grading and for Aldridge Electric. After moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Paul worked for RJN Group.

Paul was deeply committed to his church community, serving as chairman of the board of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, regional moderator for the Oklahoma Disciples of Christ, and chairman of the board of Church Extension for the Disciples of Christ.

Paul was a man of endless curiosity and even more endless projects. A licensed pilot, he did his first solo flight at the age of 16. He was, at various points, a self-taught expert in dynamite and explosives, a devoted (if hard on cars) backyard mechanic who was equally happy building an engine as blowing one up, and a determined home baker of bread and maker of waffles. He was a scuba diver and a lifelong student of World War II history. And, famously, he spent decades on a quest to recreate the perfect garlic hot dog, a taste for which was set the day he first tried one at the Romanian Kosher Sausage Company, on the corner of Touhy and Clark in Chicago.

Not every dream made it off the drawing board, but that never stopped him from having them. Over the years he entertained plans to start a catfish farm, sell the house and sail around the world, build an underground house, and learn to play the accordion. Whether or not these ever came to pass, they were part of what made him Paul, always imagining the next adventure.

Paul is survived by his amazing wife of nearly 62 years, Carlyn Kay Thompson; his children, Katie Farmer (Jeff), Jennifer Thompson (Danny Hargrove), and Andy Thompson (Megan); his grandchildren, Patrick and Caroline Farmer, Jay and Anna Thompson Hargrove, and Lindsay and Sydney Thompson; and his sister, Jane Kaplan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Percival and Bette Thompson.

He will be remembered for his sharp mind, restless imagination, and his colorful language and temper.

In keeping with his wishes, no services will be held. Paul didn't want anyone sitting around being sad on his account, and he'd rather everyone simply got on with their own adventures!