Charles Thompson

Charles Clinton Thompson, 89, a retired Tulsa news anchor, broadcast marketing executive and small business owner, passed away on November 12, 2018 at Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born in Muskogee on April 22, 1929, to Paul and Rose Thompson, Charles learned at an early age he had a knack for sales when he successfully sold garden seeds, ice cream bars, and family photos door-to-door by bicycle. At 17 he trained to be a radio operator in the U.S. Navy. After his discharge, Charles obtained a radio engineering degree from what is now Devry University in Kansas City. He began his broadcasting career as a disc jockey in several small radio stations. "Hello Babies!" was his familiar, opening greeting for each show. As was typical of the radio world, Charles moved through a progression of stations. His five children were born in five different towns. Later he moved on to a television career, first as a weatherman in Wichita Falls, Texas and then as an evening news anchor for KVOO-Channel 2 in Tulsa in the 1960’s. Charles concluded his broadcasting career at KRMG Radio. Charles married his wife of 44 years, Wyvonna Wyatt Morris, in 1974. Together they started several businesses, including The Good Life at Woodland Hills Mall, Tulsa Speed Gun, Frills Afloat at Grand Lake, and Aspen Liquor in Broken Arrow. Charles' attitude of "Life is Good!" was evident by his love of fishing, tennis, golf, scuba diving, hunting trips with his sons, and dancing with Wyvonna until the band quit. Charles and Wy enjoyed living on Duck Creek at Grand Lake for 15 years, cherishing every beautiful sunset before returning to the Tulsa area in 2010. Charles hated winter! Every January he and Wyvonna began a new adventure in the sun: Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Costa Rica, the Greek Islands, cruising the entire coast of South America, Tahiti, Bora Bora, New Zealand, Australia, Morocco, and several winters in Hawaii and Mexico. Charles is survived by his wife, Wyvonna; his children Carrie Stokes of Tulsa, Cindy McCormick (David) of Seminole, Charles Jr. (Cathy) and Connie Dockery (Jack) of Shawnee, and Cole Thompson of Maud; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters Jean Walters (Keith) and Beth Sizemore of Muskogee; sister-in-law Dolores Abraham and Wyvonna's daughter, Vickye Madewell (Alan), both of Tulsa. A “Celebration of Charles' Life” will be held at Hayhurst Funeral Home in Broken Arrow on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 2 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Tulsa Caring Center or Meals on Wheels of Broken Arrow. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to Metro Tulsa Meals on Wheels at mealsonwheelstulsa.org/donate or First Baptist Church of Tulsa Care Center at 403 South Cincinnati Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74103.

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Charles Thompson

April 22, 1929 - November 12, 2018