Harry Paul Thompson JR.'s Obituary
Harry Paul Thompson, Jr. (Paul) passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026, at his home in Austin, Texas. He was one week short of his 90th birthday.
Born on June 2, 1936, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Paul was the son of Harry Paul Thompson, Sr. and Madeleine West Thompson, both deceased. He grew up in DeRidder, Louisiana, alongside his sisters Tillie West Thompson (deceased) and Susie Thompson Burge of DeRidder.
Paul is survived by his beloved life partner of more than 30 years, Margaret Richardson Hight of Austin, Texas. He was a cherished uncle to Elizabeth Baer Mortimer (Pittsburgh, PA), Susan Baer (Sunnyvale, CA), Michael Mayeux (Chesapeake, VA), and Ryan Mayeux (Chesapeake, VA), Godfather to Lisa Hanchey (Lafayette, LA), and was preceded in death by his nephew Robert Baer.
Paul spent his childhood in DeRidder and earned his B.A. from the University of Miami. He proudly served in the United States Army. After his military service, he worked alongside his parents for four decades at the family department store, West’s, where he became a familiar and respected presence in the Jasper, Texas community.
Paul lived a life full of adventure, savoring every moment, and living life entirely on his own terms. His greatest passion was travel. He and Margaret explored the world together, reaching nearly every corner of the globe. He will be remembered for his dry wit, his know-it-all attitude, and his ability to find humor in the most mundane of topics. He especially enjoyed laughing at his own jokes.
Per Paul's wishes, there will be no memorial service.
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