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.

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.^[1] He was a third-generation Texan.^[2] In 1902, Thompson's family moved to Amarillo, Texas, where his father ran a drugstore.^[3]

Thompson graduated from the University of Texas in 1917 with a Bachelor of Laws.^[1]

Thompson joined the United States Army during World War I, serving in the infantry^[3] and becoming an expert in machine gun tactics. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel during the Meuse–Argonne offensive.^[1] Thompson returned to Amarillo in 1919 to practice law^[3] and manage the Amarillo Hotel.^[1]

A member of the Democratic Party, Thompson was elected the 12th mayor of Amarillo in 1928, having run on a platform of cutting utility rates.^[1][3][4] He delivered on this promise by leading a consumer boycott of telephones, thereby achieving a reduction in telephone rates.^[4]

Thompson's tenure as mayor began in April 1929 and concluded with his retirement on May 31, 1932.^[5] He was preceded in office by Lee Bivins and succeeded by Ross D. Rogers.^[6]

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.^[3][4] Thompson was also an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1940, placing second to O'Daniel again.^[3][4][7]

Thompson was appointed to the Railroad Commission of Texas by Governor Ross S. Sterling in 1932,^[1][3] succeeding Pat Morris Neff, who had served as the 28th governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925.^[5][8]

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.^[3]

Thompson began serving on the Railroad Commission from January 1, 1933, and resigned on January 8, 1965,^[8] due to his health.^[3][9] His 33-year tenure on the commission remains the longest in the state's history.^[3]

In 1934, under advice of President Roosevelt, Thompson led in founding the Interstate Oil Compact Commission.^[2] He served as a member and chairman of this commission from 1935 to 1965.^[10]

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, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent Thompson as an American delegate to the World Petroleum Conference in France. Thompson was appointed a general of the National Guard by Governor Allan Shivers in 1952.^[3]

Thompson was awarded the American Petroleum Institute Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement by the American Petroleum Institute in 1951.^[11]

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 Seton Infirmary on October 8, the day after her 72nd birthday. She was buried at the Texas State Cemetery, located in Austin.^[12]

A year after his wife's death, Thompson remarried to Myda Bivins, the widow of a cattleman.^[9]

Thompson died in a nursing home at the age of 74 on June 28, 1966.^[9] He was buried next to May Thompson in the Texas State Cemetery the following day.^[13] Although Thompson had Parkinson's disease, this was not provided as the specific cause of his death.^[9]

In Washington, D.C., President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a statement of regret over Thompson's death, lauding him as both "an acknowledged world leader in petroleum conservation" and "one of Texas's distinguished public servants".^[9]

Amarillo named a park in honor of Thompson,^[14] in addition to placing a historical marker in the community.^[2][3] 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.^[3][4]

• Bridges, Ken (February 4, 2024). "Bridges: One-time Amarillo mayor Ernest Thompson recognized as expert in oil production". Amarillo Globe-News. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2026.