Ernest O. Thompson

Thompson was born in Alvord, Texas, on March 24, 1892, to Lewis Oliver and Flora Lee Agnes ({{nee|Murray}}) Thompson.{{cite web|last=Green|first=George N.|date=December 5, 2022|orig-year=1976|url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/thompson-ernest-othmer|title=Thompson, Ernest Othmer (1892–1966)|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=July 23, 2024}} He was a third-generation Texan. In 1902, Thompson's family moved to Amarillo, where his father ran a drugstore.

Thompson graduated from the University of Texas in 1917 with a Bachelor of Laws. He joined the United States Army during World War I and served in the infantry. Thompson was promoted to lieutenant colonel before he returned to Amarillo in 1919 to practice law.{{cite news|last=Bridges|first=Ken|date=February 3, 2024|url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/history/2024/02/03/bridges-texan-ernest-thompson-made-impact-as-railroad-commissioner/72418930007/|title=Bridges: Texan Ernest Thompson was WWI veteran, Amarillo Mayor, Railroad Commissioner|work=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

Thompson, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Amarillo in 1928, having run on a platform of cutting utility rates. He delivered on this promise by leading a consumer boycott of telephones, thereby achieving a reduction in telephone rates.{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Thomas|date=May 1, 2023|url=https://www.amarillopioneer.com/blog/2023/5/1/amarillo-mayoral-profile-ernest-thompson|title=Amarillo Mayoral Profile: Ernest Thompson|work=The Amarillo Pioneer|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

Thompson's tenure as mayor began in April 1929 and concluded on May 31, 1932. He was preceded in office by Lee Bivins and succeeded by Ross D. Rogers.

Thompson was appointed to the Texas Railroad Commission by Governor Ross S. Sterling in 1932. For his efforts on the commission, Thompson was appointed a colonel in the Texas National Guard by Governor James V. Allred in 1936. The following year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent Thompson as an American delegate to the World Petroleum Conference in France.

Thompson was an unsuccessful candidate for governor of Texas in 1938; he was defeated by radio host and businessman W. Lee O'Daniel in the Democratic primary.{{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=296518|title=TX Governor - D Primary|website=ourcampaigns.com|access-date=July 23, 2024}} Thompson was also an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1940, placing second to O'Daniel again.{{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=296518|title=TX Governor - D Primary|website=ourcampaigns.com|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

Thompson rejoined the U.S. Army during World War II. Due to the Allies's need for a steady supply of fuel, Thompson was sent back to Texas to fulfill his duties on the Railroad Commission.

After the war, Thompson was elected to three additional terms on the Railroad Commission. Additionally, he was appointed a general of the National Guard by Governor Allan Shivers in 1952.

Thompson resigned from the Texas Railroad Commission in January 1965. He had served on the Railroad Commission for 33 years, making his tenure on the commission the longest in the state's history.

Thompson also served as a member and chairman of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission from 1935 to 1965.{{cite web|url=https://txarchives.org/utcah/finding_aids/00158.xml|title=Ernest Othmer Thompson Papers, 1907-1967|publisher=Texas Archival Resources Online|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

Thompson was awarded the American Petroleum Institute Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement.

Thompson married opera singer May Esther Peterson on June 9, 1924. On October 1, 1952, May Thompson suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at the couple's summer house in Estes Park, Colorado, causing her to lapse into a coma. She was flown back to Austin, Texas, though never regained consciousness and died at Seton Infirmary on October 8, the day after her 72nd birthday. She was buried in the Texas State Cemetery, located in Austin.{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=H. Allen|date=July 1, 1995|url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/thompson-may-esther-peterson|title=Thompson, May Esther Peterson (1880–1952)|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

Thompson died at the age of 74 on June 28, 1966. He was buried at the Texas State Cemetery the following day.{{cite web|url=https://cemetery.tspb.texas.gov/pub/user_form.asp?pers_id=2373|title=Ernest Othmer Thompson|publisher=Texas State Cemetery|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

Amarillo named a park in Thompson's honor, in addition to placing a historical marker in the community. The Austin Daily Tribune Building was renamed the Ernest O. Thompson State Office Building in honor of Thompson.

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Category:1892 births

Category:1966 deaths

Category:20th-century Texas politicians

Category:20th-century American lawyers

Category:20th-century American businesspeople

Category:20th-century United States Army personnel

Category:Mayors of Amarillo, Texas

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Category:Burials at Texas State Cemetery

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