Obituary of T.D “Tommy” Thompson

Thomas Daniel (Tommy) Thompson passed from this life on June 7, 2023 at the age of 97. Tommy was born on August 30, 1925, in Vernon, TX to Thurman Davis and Annabelle James Thompson. He was the ninth of ten children.

Times were hard in rural North Texas during the Depression. Tommy loved to tell stories about how he shined shoes to help the family make ends meet.

By the time he was 17, World War II was underway, and Tommy volunteered for service in the United States Navy. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters of the war.

Another story Tommy loved to tell was that when he was coming home, his ship docked in Galveston. As the men left the ship a young politician was on the pier shaking the hand
of each sailor and thanking them for their service. That politician was Lyndon B. Johnson.

After the war, Tommy and his then wife, Carmen (Connie)Thompson(deceased), moved to Fort Worth and there reared four children—
Thomas (Tom) Thompson, Deborah (Debbie) Thompson, David Thompson (deceased), and Mark Thompson. Tommy built a successful real estate company, Vogue Realty, and
became active in Fort Worth’s political scene

In the late 1950s Tommy was elected to the Fort Worth city council. At the time, he was the youngest person ever elected to the council. He served six years including one term as mayor pro-tem. During his service the council was noteworthy for overseeing such landmark projects as the Dallas-Ft. Worth Turnpike, the creation of Casa Mañana (where a plaque bearing his name still hangs in the lobby), and other milestone initiatives. Tommy loved to dance and to gamble. He told stories about going to Las
Vegas (where he was known as “Mr. T.”) and the celebrities he rubbed shoulders with at the crap tables.

For the first half of his life Tommy suffered with the problem of alcohol addiction. Facing the problem head on, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous and received his 49th year sobriety chip on the day he died.

Tommy helped many overcome their own addictions and was a sought-after speaker at AA meetings throughout the Fort Worth area. He was a lifetime member of the Petroleum Club, a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner.

Tommy will also be missed by his children’s spouses– Mary Thompson, Lawrence Silver, Kitty Thompson, and array of caring nieces and nephews along with many special friends. The family offers special gratitude to Barbie Hill Thompson who was his devoted primary caregiver throughout his declining year.

Tommy was predeceased by his eldest grandson, Maverick Pace, and is survived by grandchildren Jeremy Pace (and wife Kandy), Kit Pace (and
wife, Julie), Chris Thompson (and partner, Erin), Mackenzie Wiatrek (and husband, Matt), Bryan Thompson, and Sara Thompson. Great grandchildren include Olivia Pace, Charlotte Pace, Gunner Pace, Montana Pace, Kannon Pace, Kirby Pace, Austyn Wiatrek, Grayson Wiatrek, Jianna Melcher, Maverick Thompson, and Maddox Griffin.

A family service and internment will be held at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Veterans’ Cemetery at a date yet to be announced. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time near the Glass House AA facility in Ft. Worth. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Shriners’ Hospital in Dallas, TX.