Ernest O. Thompson

Ernest Othmer Thompson (March 24, 1892 – June 28, 1966) was an American businessman, politician, and attorney who served as the 12th mayor of Amarillo from 1929 to 1932 as a member of the Democratic Party. He subsequently served on the Railroad Commission of Texas from 1932 to 1965, with his 33-year tenure on the commission being the longest in the state's history. Thompson was also an unsuccessful candidate for governor of Texas in 1938 and 1940.

Early life and education Thompson was born in Alvord, Texas, on March 24, 1892, as one of four surviving children of Lewis Oliver and Flora Lee Agnes (Murray) Thompson. He was a third-generation Texan. In 1902, Thompson's family moved to Amarillo, Texas, where his father ran a drugstore.

Thompson graduated from the University of Texas in 1917 with a Bachelor of Laws. He delivered on this promise by leading a consumer boycott of telephones, thereby achieving a reduction in telephone rates. He was preceded in office by Lee Bivins and succeeded by Ross D. Rogers.

Thompson was an unsuccessful candidate for governor of Texas in 1938, being defeated by radio host and businessman W. Lee O'Daniel in the Democratic primary election.

Railroad Commission of Texas Thompson was appointed to the Railroad Commission of Texas by Governor Ross S. Sterling in 1932,

Thompson rejoined the U.S. Army during World War II. Due to the Allies' need for a steady supply of fuel, Thompson was sent back to Texas to fulfill his duties on the Railroad Commission. After the war, Thompson was elected to three additional terms on the commission. His 33-year tenure on the commission remains the longest in the state's history.

For his efforts on the Railroad Commission, Thompson was appointed a colonel in the Texas National Guard by Governor James V. Allred in 1936. The following year, Roosevelt sent Thompson as an American delegate to the World Petroleum Conference in France. In 1952, Thompson was appointed a general of the National Guard by Governor Allan Shivers.

Personal life

Thompson married opera singer May Esther Peterson (October 7, 1880 – October 8, 1952) in Bronxville, New York, on June 9, 1924. On October 1, 1952, May Thompson suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at the couple's summer house in Estes Park, Colorado, causing her to lapse into a coma. She was flown back to Austin, Texas, though never regained consciousness and died at Austin's Seton Infirmary on October 8, the day after her 72nd birthday. She was buried at the Texas State Cemetery, located in Austin.

A year after his wife's death, Thompson remarried to Myda Bivins, the widow of a cattleman. Although Thompson had Parkinson's disease, this was not provided as the specific cause of his death. in addition to placing a historical marker in the community. Moreover, the Austin Daily Tribune Building was renamed the Ernest O. Thompson State Office Building in Thompson's honor; the building currently houses the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Electoral history 1938

1940