James (Jim) Karr

Saddend by the passing of my Friend Tommy.  I've known Tommy since Garrison Elemementry and we lived near by. We would work out with weights in his front yard.  Also on the Track team together at John Marshall Jr. High.  Last meet at the 50th reunion of Wichita North along with his wife.  I pray for the peace the passes all understanding through Christ for his family and friends. Love You my Friend,

Jim Karr  Baton Rouge, La.

David L. Headley

Tom was a great guy and a friend to all. RIP Tom

James Richard Rutherford

So sorry to hear! Tommy was one of the good guys for sure!

Delmer Samuel (Sam) Dennis

Tom (Tommy) Thompson was one of the good guys.  Good-looking with a ready smile, Tommy was bright, athletic, and kind.  He was a leader in our North High class of 1968, and I am saddened to read of his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends in Wichita. I knew Tom as a teenager, but I have no doubt that the man he became never deviated from the Tommy Thompson I knew. 

Dan Collier

A great guy, gone way too soon.  Tom was a good friend and I've never forgotten that, nor will I ever forget it.  RIP Tom, you"ve earned it old friend.

Stephen Pray

I just saw the notice of Tom's passing.  WOW!  Seems like yesterday we were all trying to find our way.  Some seemed to have a stronger resolve and leadership than others.  Tom was one of these.  He will be missed by his family, many friends and acquaintances.  May God bless his famjily and provide them with profound comfort.

Terry Boren

Tom was a great guy.  One of my foundest memories of Tom was when Coach Laswell at John Marshall wanted Tom and I to wrestle each other.  Before we got on the mat we decided that we would act like professional wrestlers and do body slams, throw each other out of the ring and do head locks.  Laswell was not happy but the class gave us a standing ovation.  Needless to say we got an F in PE for wrestling.  We miss you Tom.

Charles K. Metzker

I grew up with Tom on West 17th street from Garrison grade school, Marshall and North. We spent our youth together in scouts and sports swimming at Indian Hills pool. I saw James Karr's comment and agree 100%. We had the "it takes a village" thing when we were kids running around the neighborhood because any troublemakers were reported right away-couldn't get away with anything. Regrets for not contacting him before he passed away-I had heard that he was having some health issues. RIP old friend 

David Stanley Smith

I'm one of the Garrison Elementary "graduates" who fondly remeber growing up with Tommy. We moved to Meridian street my 1st Grade year and quickly got acquanted with Tommy, Randy Elam, Chuck Metzger, Dick Watson, etc, etc.  It was so great to have all of these guys to go through elementary, middle, and high school with.  Tommy and I even matched up in our adultn years to do some business together. I will miss him. God Bless Tommy.

Eric Willis Wolfe

Here's how I remember Tommy from John Marshall: the guy's light shone bright. But what I liked most was this: Tommy liked to make mischief. One time during a test in Beulah Strickler's English class, Tommy strolled loudly over to the wastebasket, slowly wadding up a piece of paper as loudly as possible. Mrs. Strickler barked at him: "That's not how we throw away paper." Tom shot back (with plenty of snark in his voice): "How do we throw away paper?" Mrs. Strickler, who had a certain reputation, seemed shocked that anyone would dare talk back to her and she didn't have a ready answer. "Well," she sputtered, "we fold it up and lay it down gently in the wastebasket." We were all grinning at each other because NO ONE ever threw away paper that way. Tommy clomped loudly back to his desk.

I returned to Wichita for a while in the mid-1980s. Tommy and I had offices in the same little commercial area on Waco Street.  We got together just once, for lunch at Connie's Mexican restaurant. We were in our 30s, busy with the serious business of being adults. I reminded him of the time I took his picture before the start of Beulah Strickler's class. He had insisted on a certain pose. Flanked by Steve Ruddick and Ray Frederick, Tommy kicked back in Stricker's chair and put his feet up on her desk.

Thanks for the memories, Tommy.