In Memory of Dr. Tom Thompson

Raymond Carver once wrote: "And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what was that? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth".
      Dr. Tom Thompson was born in Los Angeles, July 26, 1943 and spent his early years deaf. Having lost their parents at an early age, he took it upon himself to raise his younger brother. As a young man, Tom attended UCLA and received a Bachelors Degree from Pepperdine University. Later, he would go on to earn a Masters from UCLA and Ph.D. from The Center of Humanistic Studies. He married, and raised two sons, Matthew and Kevin.
     His background in metaphysics, quantum physics, and psychology gave him much insight which he shared by lecturing to various groups; further he could often be found teachings seminars in sexual awareness, healing, regression therapy at various retreats in California and Arizona.
     In recent years he was known as a therapist, entertainer, singer, hypnotist, public speaker, and karaoke host for various clubs and private parties in the San Diego, Riverside, and Orange County areas. His dynamic voice and romantic style of singing and entertaining also earned him the title "The Love Doctor."
     Described as "a true winter friend and not a sunshine hero", Dr. Tom's gentle, loving ways and healing touch made him a big man in the eyes of many and it is obvious he will be greatly missed.
     When you look at a person's life, trying to understand what it meant, trying to know that the real story was, sometimes you find a surprise. Dr. Tom's story had two themes: work and love. In the end, the dominant theme was love. What mattered to him most was that he was a good person, that he had truly lived and did all things with care and love, Therefore making the world better for his having been here. And in return Dr. Tom Thompson most definitely received that gift of feeling himself "beloved on the earth".
     We create the work of our lives from the materials available to us - relationships, words, experiences, secure and happy children, a garden, a warm loaf of bread, safe roads, friendships, books and music are the bricks and mortar. During his lifetime, Dr. Tom helped numerous people rebuild their emotional lives and created musical memories with many others. The most important to him, in the end, were those things he built with love: a good family, friendships that were not conditional, and a legacy that will live in the hearts of all who knew him. It was good work, good art, and a very good life.