Wayland Gale Thompson, 89, of Erick, Oklahoma died peacefully at his home on April 5, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Gale was born on February 10, 1935 at home in Willow, Oklahoma. Gale is the son of Robert Thompson and Ann Davenport Thompson. Gale was one of seven children born in this family. He grew up in the Sweetwater area and graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1954.
Gale graduated from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with a minor in Military Science. While he attended OSU he enlisted in the Army ROTC program. Gale married Mattie Gail Arteberry on April 11, 1958. Gale moved to Sayre, Oklahoma where he was self-employed in the hog business and worked as a 4H agent. In 1962, Gale enlisted as an officer in the army and was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia. He continued his military career as a major in the U.S. Army Reserves Thunderbird 45th Infantry until 1980. Gale and Mattie moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1965 for Gale to pursue a Master of Science degree in Agriculture. After obtaining his master’s degree in 1968, Gale moved to Claremore, Oklahoma to work as a county extension agent. While Gale was working as a county extension agent, he began buying land in Western Oklahoma (Cogdell and Hartman places were his first farms) and T5 Ranch was born.
In 1974 Gale and Mattie moved to Erick, Oklahoma to pursue his true passion of farming/ranching and to begin a career at First American Bank as a loan officer. Gale worked at First American Bank/First Bank from 1974 to 1982 (President). He served on the First Bank (Erick) board from 19752015 (40 years). Gale and Mattie operated Erick Disposal Well from 1984-2015. However, Gale’s heart always belonged to farming and ranching. Gale farmed and ranched until December 2023 just months before his death. Gale was very proud of how many people he was able to feed.
Gale enjoyed fishing, playing cards, hunting, and teasing the grandchildren. He loved to pull pranks on everyone and had a great sense of humor! Mattie was dad’s love of his life.
Gale was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Robert “Bob”, his three sisters, Twila, Lila, and Nona.
He is survived by his wife, Mattie Gail Arteberry Thompson of Sayre; his siblings Dale Thompson (twin brother), and Gloria Dawn Howell; his three daughters, Deborah Carol Nunn, Catherine Lynn Alexander, and Pamela Gayle Hampton; eight grandchildren Brandon Alexander, Crystal Garcia, Justin Nunn, Tanner Alexander, Destiny Nunn, Dakota Nunn, Olivia Hampton and Elizabeth Hampton and six great grandchildren; Kallum Garcia, Scarlett Garcia, Fiona Alexander, Owen Alexander, Logan Alexander and Josephine Alexander.
In lieu of flowers, family is requesting memorial contributions be made to the OSU Foundation. Checks should be made payable to the OSU Foundation and mailed to PO Box 1749 – Stillwater, OK 74076-1749. Gifts can be made online at http://secure.osugiving.com/s/ giving/annual?dsgt=20-03700. Please note your donation is in memory of Gale Thompson.
