Obituary of Harrel Thompson

Harrel "PAPA" Thompson, age 74 of the Harris Community, OK passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at his home. He was born on March 30, 1938 in the Harris Community, OK, the son of R.A. and Christene May Thompson. Harrel married Pat Underwood in Idabel, OK on August 6, 1958. For over 20 years Harrel operated Thompson's Grocery, a country store in the Harris Community owned by the Thompson family. Harrel was a very talented baseball pitcher and as a teenager was invited to a tryout by the Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball Team. He ended up playing baseball in the Independent Leagues for over 20 years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed bird hunting and deer hunting but what he liked most was spending time with family and friends at deer camp. Harrel loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was very proud of each of them for their accomplishments. He was a member of the Haworth Church of Christ and was a lifetime resident of McCurtain County. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Sue Thompson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Grace Underwood; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Shorty and Yvonne Underwood. Harrel is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat Thompson of the home; daughters and sons-in-law, Sherry and Alan Clampet and Angie and Ken Lee; sons and daughters-in-law, Chip and Kelley Thompson and Rance and Tracy Thompson; grandchildren and spouses, Leslie and Jason Cunningham, Rebecca and Bruce Bartlett, Clint and Kimberly Clampet, Jason and Hollie Lee, Jenifer Lee, RJ Thompson, Kelsey Thompson, Rylan Thompson, Hank and CJ Thompson, Haley Thompson and Kendra and Jason Newgard; great-grandchildren, Jace and Cohen Cunningham, John and Lily Clampet, Jonas and Jude Lee, Nathan and Adrian Newgard, Emma and Heidi Jo Thompson; brother and sister-in-law, Aubrey and Linda Thompson; aunt, Melba Leatherbee; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at the Haworth Church of Christ in Haworth, OK. Interment will follow at the Pollard Cemetery in the Pollard Community, OK with Aubrey Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the India Shrine Center, Transportation Fund, 3601 N.W. 36th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405-942-3045). They provide transportation to and from Shriner's Hospitals for children including Harrel's great-grandson, Jonas Lee.