Victor Eugene Thompson

July 7, 1937 - September 5, 2018

Victor "Tommy" Thompson July 7, 1937 - September 5, 2018 If you knew my dad, Victor "Tommy" Thompson, you had the good fortune of knowing a gentle, humorous and genuinely thoughtful man. Dad made it his purpose in life to bring joy and laughter to everyone he encountered. He understood how a joke and some giggles could ease tension or lighten another's pain. He would often say "everybody needs a laugh". From a very early age my Dad taught me the art of hospitality and generosity toward others. He would greet the grocery checker, the gas station attendant, the retail clerk, the fast-food worker, the waitress, etc cheerfully and sincerely, in an effort to make that person feel better. As a result, those people welcomed Dad's next visit with an authentic, whole-hearted smile. In this same vein, Dad showed me the importance of tipping those who serve us and that we always return the shopping cart, no matter how far away we parked. In other words, he taught me respect. Dad worked for AT&T for 33 years and after a two year retirement, he worked at Harbor Freight Tools for 19 years. He truly enjoyed working and made numerous friendships at both jobs. I would like to thank the staffs of The Rehabilitation Center of Bakersfield and Optimal Hospice among whom are many angels. May God bless you all. Dad was preceded in death by his parents (Debs and Aggie), a little brother (Shacky), and his wife, my mom, Charlene Francisco, whom he married on May 18, 1961 and loved until the day she died in February of 2002. He never remarried and never recovered from her passing. Left behind are little sisters Dianne Johnsen and Terry Allen and little brother Bob Thompson, grandson Cedric Shanley, son-in-law Jeffrey Hardin and daughter, Sami Thompson Hardin. Dad was the kindest, most generous man I've ever met. When he was healthier, he would get Christmas gifts for every employee at all the restaurants he frequented (Spencer's, Sinaloa, The Rice Bowl, Happy Jacks, etc.) From the bus boys all the way up to the owner, he would get a gift for everyone. Dad was simply a dear, sweet, loving man.