Paul Thompson “enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. He received his wings in 1953 to fly the F-86 fighter and also flew with the Air Force Sky Blazers acrobatic team, a precursor to the Thunderbirds. He flew the Russian border patrol out of Aviano, Italy during the the cold war. When he was assigned to the 612th Tac fighter wing at England AFB, LA, he became a test pilot for the F-100 and miraculously survived a systems failure crash and allegedly had a LA bayou named after him as a result.
He proudly served in Vietnam assigned to Tuy Hoa AFB, 22nd fighter wing. Flying the F-104, he flew 9 combat sorties until he was reassigned to Saigon AF Operations to assist with strategic planning. Returning stateside, he was assigned to the Pentagon to the Scientific Advisory Board as an advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force for a number of years. His last tour was to Bonn Germany where he was the Chief, USAF of the Research & Development Liaison Office, and advisor to the American Ambassador.”(1)
Source:(1) Legacy.com
Dr. Paul D. Thompson, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on January 2, 2017.
Dr. Paul D. Thompson, Col. USAF retired, age 86, formally of Ormond Beach, FL, passed away on January 2, 2017 after a long struggle with Alzhiemer’s disease. He was born in Detroit, MI in 1930, to the late Dewey and Enid (Hawes) Thompson. Paul graduated from Lawrence Institute of Technology in Industrial Management, followed by an MBA from the University of Michigan, and a Phd. in Educational Technology from Catholic University of America. Paul was a man of valor with a tremendous sense of duty and love for his country.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. He received his wings in 1953 to fly the F-86 fighter and also flew with the Air Force Sky Blazers acrobatic team, a precursor to the Thunderbirds. He flew the Russian border patrol out of Aviano, Italy during the the cold war. When he was assigned to the 612th Tac fighter wing at England AFB, LA, he became a test pilot for the F-100 and miraculously survived a systems failure crash and allegedly had a LA bayou named after him as a result.
He proudly served in Vietnam assigned to Tuy Hoa AFB, 22nd fighter wing. Flying the F-104, he flew 9 combat sorties until he was reassigned to Saigon AF Operations to assist with strategic planning. Returning stateside, he was assigned to the Pentagon to the Scientific Advisory Board as an advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force for a number of years. His last tour was to Bonn Germany where he was the Chief, USAF of the Research & Development Liaison Office, and advisor to the American Ambassador.
For the service to his country, Paul was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, USAF Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, United States Vietnam Service Medal, United States Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He was also an active member of the Order of Daedalians. He retired honorably from United States Air Force in 1976.
Moving his family to Ormond Beach, FL in 1976 Paul initally was employed at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and then spent nineteen years at Daytona Beach Community College (now DBSC) as Dean, Provost, and Vice President, and later taught business and math. He was a strong proponent of education and, in order to reach as many students as possible, was instrumental in the development of DBCC satellite community college sytems throughout central Florida. During his tenure at he was appointed by three state govenors to sit on the Board of the State Corrections Education School Authority, was a Special Master of Arbitration for the Public Employees Relations Commission and had served as the Conservation Chairman with the Florida Department of Energy.
He also had the honor of being invited to The White House by the President of the United States to participate in a briefing regarding anti-inflation initiatives.
Equally as strong was his belief in volunteerism and community involvement. He volunteered with the Mid-Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross and served a number of years as the chapter chairman. He served on the Air Force Academy selection committee for the state of Florida, sat on the Ormond Beach Planning Board and was past captain of the Daytona Beach Quarterback Club. Following in his father’s footsteps, Paul achieved the rank of 33rd Degree Mason and was a member of the Bahia Shrine.
While Paul always said that his first passion was his wife, Patricia, his second was golfing with good friends as well as playing bridge. Paul had a tremendous love of life and a great sense of adventure traveling extensively throughout the world with Patricia, his children and friends.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife, of 50 years, Patricia Thompson now of Orlando, FL, his brother Dr. Robert Thompson (Dolores) of Jacksonville, son Robert L. Thompson (from a previous marriage) of Nashville, TN, daughter Christine Pixley (Tom) of Oakhill, VA, and son Dr. Paul David Thompson, MD (Melissa) of Orlando, FL, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date followed by an internment at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family respectfuly requests that any donations be made in Paul’s name to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tampa location. shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-journalonline/name/paul-thompson-obituary?id=14505599
