In loving memory of Craig Thomson

Craig Hallie Thomson, a loyal and loving husband, dad, grandparent, uncle, brother, nephew and friend, passed away on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 in Plano,Texas with his family by his side, he was 76 years old.

Craig Was born August 7th, 1946 in Haskell, Texas to the late Joseph Edward Thomson and Francis Anita (Chapman) Thomson. He was the oldest of 4 children, a loving big brother to Cheryl, Carol and Charles.

Craig attended Abilene Texas Schools where he was Cooper High School's first “Coop” Mascot and was a 1964 graduate of Cooper High School. Soon after graduating, he joined the Texas National Guard in Dallas in 1967 and received an honorable discharge in 1971. During this time, he met the love of his life Jennifer Vermelle Thomson and two years later married in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma on August 30th, 1969. He remained a loving and devoted husband and best friend to her for an amazing 55 years. Together they built a beautiful family and had 3 children Brian, Tracy and Mandy. While in the National Guard, he attended Texas Tech University and graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with a BBA Degree in Finance. In Dallas, he worked for the Comptroller of Currency and became a National Bank Examiner from 1972-1977 followed by becoming the Executive Vice President for the Abilene National Bank until 1982. He then became the President of Century Pontiac Nissan of Abilene Texas until 1985. In Abilene, he became a licensed private pilot, was a board member for Abilene Metropolitan Ballet, and the Abilene Interact Business Club where he was also the president. In 1985, he then moved to Paul's Valley, Oklahoma with his wife and children. He was an Owner/Broker for Thomson and Associates, where he developed and implemented plans to assist Indian tribes in purchasing companies, He was the President for Valley International Trading Company where he negotiated all pricing for goods from China to the United States and established contacts within China to conduct business transitions. During this time, he also became a Licensed Real Estate Broker and founded and organized Thomson Insurance and Real Estate. Craig was involved with Pauls Valley Kiwanis as President and board member, He was also a board member for Pauls Valley United Fund-Board, Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Paul's Valley United Methodist Church. In 2003, Craig and Vermelle moved to Sante Fe, New Mexico where he worked as a Federal Royalty Auditor in the Federal Royalty Audit Bureau/US department of the Interior for the State of New Mexico until he moved to Plano, Texas in 2014.

Craig was a man of many trades and began his retirement working at Cabellas, which he dearly loved. He received his certification to become a NRA private Instructor where he enjoyed teaching and training the public in the use and safety of firearms. He was always on the search for knowledge. He prided himself in all he knew and enjoyed sharing stories of the past's history. Craig would always capture the attention of those around him by sharing his passion for the wild west. He was a true historian. He had a life filled with laughter, love, curiosity, and a deep love for his family. He enjoyed life to its fullest and was always in awe of the beauty that surrounded him. If a story could be written about his life, it would be the greatest ever told of a kind and loving father, husband, grandparent, brother, uncle, and nephew who had a heart of gold. A million pages could be written about his story but still unable to say just how special he

was to us all. He is so deeply loved and will be missed every single day. What a precious gift we were all given. Blessed we all are for knowing such a kind, gentle, and amazing soul.

Craig is survived by his loving wife Vermelle (Butts) Thomson of Plano,TX, son Brian Thomson of Plano, TX, daughters Tracy Thomson of Plano, TX and Mandy (Thomson) Diesburg and husband Bryan Diesburg of Casper, Wyoming. His beloved grandchildren, Peysley and Taylor Thomson and Bradlee Giles of Waco Texas, Jake Thomson of Sante Fe, NM, and Olivia Diesburg of Casper, WY. His loving sisters Cheryl Crandall Huey and husband Wayland of Denver, Colorado. Carol Jo Davis and Chuck Wilmot of Nokomis, Florida. Brother, Charles Thomson and his wife Kerri of Fort Worth, TX. His Uncle Ronald and Aunt Pat Thomson of Tulsa ,OK and Aunt Patty and Uncle Jerry Reese of Mission Hills, Kansas, his brother and sister in law Joe and Carolyn butts of purcell, Oklahoma and Brenda Butts of Paul’s Valley. He also had many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he all dearly loved.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Edward Thomson and Francis Anita (Chapman) Thomson, His grandparents Hallie and Tillie Pearl Chapman of Haskell, TX and Joseph Edward and Ena May (Alexander) Thomson of Duncan, OK, his in laws Joe and Marie Butts of Paul’s Valley and his sister in law Beverly Butts Crow of Beaumont Texas.

Craig's Celebration of life will be held at Esperanza’s, a sister restaurant to Joe.T. Garcias located near the historic stockyards in Fort Worth, TX. This will be held on March 25th @ 5:30. The family will send out more details soon. His burial will be in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma on Monday March 27th.