Thomas "Tommy" Warren Thompson

Tom passed away on May 19, 2022, at the age of 92. He was born on February 10, 1930, in Omaha, NE, and attended Harrison and Dundee elementary schools. His early high school career was spent at Central High School, but he transferred to the Lawrenceville prep school, in Lawrenceville, NJ, and graduated from there in 1948. Tom went on to attend Williams College, graduating in 1952 with a BA degree in Geology. Shortly after his college graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was trained as an aeronautics instructor and was stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. On August 29, 1953, he married Mary McFayden (d. 1971) and together they had 2 daughters, Katharyn and Karen. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1956, Tom and Mary settled in Omaha, where Tom began a career as a credit advisor and then later moved on to purchase a bottled water company, Fontenelle Springs, Inc., which he ran for over 30 years. Tom married Patricia Brophy on November 4, 1972. This marriage instantly increased the Thompson household to a family of 7--with stepchildren David, Debra and Lawrence (d. 2021) becoming a part of what Tom lovingly referred to as his “5-year Plan”—3 girls and 2 boys who were all just a year apart in school and a year apart in age!

Tom loved Omaha, and was always proud to call it his “home” and say his “roots were planted here.” He was involved in a number of civic organizations in Omaha and sat on several community boards. He also was a long-time and active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. His engaging personality and friendly demeanor earned him life-long friends from all walks of life, and he never seemed to find it difficult to strike up a conversation with a stranger to then somehow find he had something in common with them. One of his most remarkable and admirable traits was his knowledge of Omaha history; he could rattle off the dates of events, where they took place and the names of people who attended or were involved without even a second thought. He was a “walking and talking” Omaha history book!!

In 1998, Tom and Patty made the decision to “retire” in Scottsdale, AZ where they could enjoy the warm weather and sunshine, plus play countless rounds of golf. The four years they spent together in Arizona were relaxing and memorable. However, after Patty’s death in 2002, Tom felt the need to move back “home” to be closer to his family and his “roots.” He moved back to Omaha in 2004, and it was at this time that another lovely lady came into his life, Leila Johnson. Lee and Tom, having both recently been widowed, were living in the same building at the Lake Regency Apartments. What started as a few casual conversations on the elevator and then some shared meals, soon developed into an inseparable bond of friendship and loving companionship that they both enjoyed over the next 15+ years.

Tom lived a long, full life. Some of his favorite “loves” were watching Cornhusker football games, playing golf on some of the world’s most famous golf courses, boating on Lake Okoboji, enjoying beautiful sunsets over the oceans, visiting art galleries and museums wherever he traveled, doting on his adopted feline companions, nurturing his multitude of green plants, listening to classical music, as well as sharing good conversation and a meal with close friends and family while enjoying a gin martini, a bottle of craft beer or a glass of wine.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Warren Thompson, MD; his first wife, Mary McFayden Thompson; his second wife, Patricia Markel Thompson; and his stepson, Lawrence Brophy. He is survived, and will be lovingly remembered and missed, by daughters, Katharyn Wyckoff of Houston, TX and Karen Burkley (Robert) of Omaha, NE; stepson, David Brophy of Dallas, TX, stepdaughter, Debra Andrews (James) of Omaha, NE; stepdaughter-in-law, Karen Brophy of Ft. Myers, FL; plus 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his loving friend and companion, Leila Johnson.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 113 S. 18th Street, Omaha, NE on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.