Dear Daddy
Robert Roy Thompson was born to Ralph and Anna Thompson in Kinder, Louisiana, on 4 September, 1931. (That’s how daddy always recited his birthday when asked.) He went home to the Lord on May 23, 2022.
He had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. John “Jackie” Thompson, Katherine (Wilcox), Daniel Thompson, Verna (Louviere), Marion “Buddy” Thompson, and Neva Joyce Thompson. Neva Joyce was the first to meet the Lord, only days after being born. As the youngest sibling, Robert became “Uncle Winkie,” —because of his early acquisition of that talent—to many nieces and nephews. He loved them all with a passion to his dyeing day and they loved him.
Daddy loved running around barefoot in the country, fishing, and playing with his brothers who always taught him to be tough and stand up for himself. He loved the Lord because that’s what his mama taught him to do.
He worked hard most of his life starting very young as a delivery boy for a local drug store using his 1 peddled bike that he bought with his own money. That was Daddy’s motto. “If you want something, you earn the money and then buy it.” None of this buying on credit! He worked his way up to soda jerk (just like George Bailey!) and his boss even offered to pay for his education at pharmacy school and his own drug store when he finished high school. However, Daddy wanted to go into the military like all of his brothers had done, so that’s what he did. He enjoyed the work in the military as an airplane mechanic, but he did not like the politics. He was very good at his job and promotions proved it. He retired after 23 years as a Master Sergeant. He liked to tell people he went to the University of Texas for 17 years and asked them to guess what degree he earned. When they stumbled to answer, he’d laugh and say, “None, I worked in the power plant!” That was daddy, he always tried to be funny.
While he was in the military stationed in England, he met Hannelore “Elinor” Wittenberg. They married and had two girls, Petra and Amber. Though the marriage ended in divorce, daddy adored mama till the day he died, telling her repeatedly from his deathbed that he loved her.
He retired very early at age 55 from UT. He spent his retirement days with his beloved chihuahua’s Spike, Paco, Delilah, and Sweetie; and buying little sporty cars or trucks. He also enjoyed playing Mr. Fixit for anyone and everyone, especially his neighbors. When he wasn’t doing that he was visiting his girls and grandchildren and his family in Louisiana, in the little sporty car with doggy in tow! He would say, “If my dog’s not welcome, then neither am I.” Known as a free spirit, he would just show up and grace you with his presence and just as unannounced, he’d be gone again. He loved the good Cajun food his sister Verna would make whenever he showed up. He was very generous and giving of his material wealth and time. He will be sorely missed but there is comfort in knowing he will finally rest with his mama. His lifelong wish.
He is survived by his ex-wife Elinor Thompson. His daughter Petra Bartolo and her 4 boys; Tony and his wife Angelia, Nicholas, Daniel, and Jonathan; His daughter, Amber Johnson and her husband Bill and their two boys; Robert and wife Katherine and great grandson, Alex; and Kye and wife Madison and great grandson, Felix; many of his beloved nieces and nephews; and last but not least, his chihuahua, Sweetie.
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