Harold Tommy Thompson

We can measure the life of Harold Thompson with these words:

"Not - How did he die? But - How did he live?

Not - What did he gain? But - What did he give?"

Harold Thompson was blessed to be born into a loving household of hard-working parents, James Logan Thompson of Sharps, VA, and Mable Elmo Thompson, of Beechwood. West VA, and five younger siblings, George, James, Jr., Betty, Nancy and Bernice. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Harold's family moved to Harlem, NY, when he was 11 years old.

James, Sr. worked long hours for Con Edison, while Mable worked as a housekeeper. In their absence, Harold, the oldest, became the head of the household.

The Thompson's' family home in the Bronx was busy and fun-filled. Sister Betty recalls a chicken who ran around the house, but no one knew who it belong to. Other memories are of their grandfather who they thought resembled Santa Claus, trips to an uncle's farm in Virginia where they fished and harvested vegetables for cooking and for sale. Once a horse frightened by a snake reared up and Harold was thrown from his saddle. He never rode a horse again.

A natural athlete, Harold enjoyed track and joined the Spanish club; well into old age, he could quote the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish. Although he couldn't swim well, Harold had to know how to pass a course. He did so by swimming the length of the pool under water.

Basketball played a big part in Harold's life. He and his friends played most often at the Harlem YMCA, where he would meet his future wife, Vivien Victoria Johnson, born in New Orleans, LA. Although he was dating another young lady, Cleo Sylvester and still his friend to this day, he was smitten immediately when he saw Vivien swimming in a white bathing suit. He begged his best friend, Emanuel "Jack" Jackson, to introduce him.

Despite his good intentions, Harold put off taking Vivien out because he couldn't afford it. He explained not having the money to go out by telling Vivien he worked for a Spanish newspaper and was always going on assignments. He proved his knowledge of Spanish to her by saying the Pledge of Allegiance. He did solved his dilemma to take Vivien out for Easter by pawning his overcoat! However, that year NYC had a big snowstorm, so he couldn't go out until his father arrived home and he could borrow his overcoat!

This led to that and before long the young couple decided to elope and got married in the home of the Justice of the Peace who made them wait in the living room, while he finished dinner. After the marriage ceremony, Harold took Vivien and her maid of honor, Dorothie Coleman to a Chinese restaurant for $1.50, followed by a movie for .25. But, they forestalled a honeymoon until they broke the news to their parents. Their marriage would last for 70 years.

Luckily, Vivien's uncle taught Tommy to cook well enough to earn a living as a chef. For the rest of his life, Tommy was the man in the kitchen. (According to his daughter, he made the best ribs, red beans, chili and stuffing from scratch.)

Eventually, in 1957 they were able to able to buy a one-story, three-bedroom home in Queens, NY. Like his childhood home, this one was filled with the joy of two children, Vicki and Erle (Duke), who honored their parents by entering law enforcement. At the time of his untimely death at age 33, Duke was a NYC detective. Vicki later rose in the ranks of the NYC Department of Corrections to become a Deputy Warden.

Harold's longtime four-legged friends were King and Fang, two German shepherds. Once Harold took King to obedience school to learn how to walk on a leash and heel. To his embarrassment, King refused to walk around in a circle and sat down to watch his fellow canines go round and round in a circle.

It was Vivien, however, who introduced Harold (and their children and grandchildren) to the wonders of travel. By the time of her death in 2006, they had traveled to the Caribbean, Europe, South America, Morocco, Iceland, Hawaii and much of the U.S. They also loved camping.

Harold's other loves were basketball and football. His favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. His interest in jazz was fostered by going to clubs to hear his cousin, Paul Chambers, Jr. play with Miles Davis.

Upon his retirement in 1978, Tommy continued to socialize at senior centers in NY and Las Vegas, where he loved to play pinochle. He was also a member of the Worldwide Church of God.

What did Harold gain from his years on earth? Two children, a son-in-law, George Gunther, a daughter-in-law, Myrna Thompson, grandchildren Craig Thompson, Erle Toussiant Gunther and wife, Natasha; Joi Thompson Trott and husband, Leslie; Kelly Thompson Abraham and husband, Collin; Samantha Gunther Jaffar and husband, Khalid. His great grandchildren include Kimora Thompson, Miles Abraham, and Sienna Jaffar. He also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, Wista Johnson, Terri Deboe, Jackie Grannum, Judy Johnson, Michael and wife Regina, David, Theresa and Ronald Santos to name a few.

What did Harold give? He was the best example of a husband and father, a nurturing grandfather, a kind uncle, a good friend to many, and a Christian. God could not have created a better man to share this life with countless family members and friends.