Clarence Eugene Thompson

Clarence grew up and resided in Canyon until he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve in 1943. After 15 months of schooling, he was deployed to the Pacific theatre for 17 months of sea duty aboard the USS Putnam (DD757). He was honorably discharged in 1946.

While deployed, he married the love of his life, Sarah Elizabeth Slack. Clarence and Sarah met in their first-grade classroom, and he loved and adored her until her death in 2005. Once discharged from the Navy, they moved to Austin where Clarence earned a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas. He never utilized that degree to professionally practice engineering as he and Sarah returned to Canyon to help his parents run the family business.

Thompson’s Hardware was started in 1908 by Clarence’s grandparents, so he was the third generation to operate the family business. Clarence and Sarah were blessed with two children, Gail and Harold. After the deaths of his parents and the diminishing viability of old-fashioned hardware stores, Clarence and Sarah pared the business down to a gift and china shop. Clarence became the Business Manager for West Texas State University and was later promoted to Financial Vice President. He worked in that position until his retirement, while Sarah continued to manage the gift shop.

Being a business owner and the Financial Vice-president of a university were Clarence’s professional positions; however, he was also a community leader, serving as the Mayor of Canyon, and on numerous boards and committees. His faith was very important to him, and he was active in the First Presbyterian Church in Canyon, serving as a deacon and elder. One of his passions was serving as an adult Sunday school teacher, which he did for many years.

Upon his retirement from West Texas State, Clarence and Sarah surprised family and friends by leaving the place where they were born to relocate first to Kingwood, Texas and then to The Woodlands, Texas to be closer to their children. It was here that they experienced the joy of their lives, the birth of their grandchildren, Alec and Alyssa. The relationship they had with both grandchildren was priceless, and from that point on they were simply “Granddaddy and Grammy”.

Never one to be idle, during his retirement years, Clarence remained active -- volunteering at the Humble Area Assistance Ministry (HAAM), serving as an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in The Woodlands, and later serving as a Sunday School teacher in the Friendship Class at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. He also worked part-time at Sears Hardware in The Woodlands.

After the loss of his beloved wife, Sarah, Clarence was blessed to continue a full life, in large part due to the wonderful companionship of Elizabeth Voran. This relationship provided many fulfilling experiences for Clarence that enriched his later years.

Describing the full impact Clarence had on the lives of those who knew and loved him would be next to impossible. He has been described by many as the consummate gentleman. Clarence had a way of making everyone he met feel better about themselves. He was honorable and respected in his personal and business relationships, and he was very proud of his country and his service in the US Navy. He wore his WWII Veteran’s cap with pride -- every day! Clarence had a wonderful sense of humor, but most importantly, he was an example of humility. Nothing was ever about him but always focused on others.

Clarence is preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Thompson, his father, Clarence L. Thompson, his mother, Tom Beck Thompson, and his brother, Thomas H. Thompson. He is survived by his son, Harold Thompson; his daughter, Gail Tyler, son-in-law Tom Tyler, grandchildren, Alec and Alyssa Tyler; and his long-time companion, Elizabeth Voran. He is also survived by family members Jean Lockhart, Anna Lee Gaddy, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends who will miss him dearly.

Celebration of life will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 2:00pm at The Woodlands Methodist Church (2200 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of the following charities: The Salvation Army, American Bible Society, WTAMU Alumni Association, Woodlands United Methodist Church Foundation, *Note: Grace Garden Columbarium.