Frank Paul Thompson

The amazing Frank Paul Thompson, 61, a true genius, Master Craftsman Builder and Glass Artisan, superhero husband, fun loving father, silly pappy, joking friend to all, who could light up the room with joy, making everyone feel comfortable, finally took some much needed rest eternally with our loving Father in Heaven on July 28, 2022. His huge loving heart gave out on this earthly body, but his jolly spirit has now been opened up to be shared with us all forever. St. Paul says we see now thru a glass dimly but then we shall see face to face, But as Frank would say… "I like glass. It really cracks me up, but you can see right through that!" And I believe he can see clearly now and is looking at us all with his lovely unassuming gaze of peace and joy.

He leaves a legacy he is very proud of his wife of 38 years, Eva Marie Pettefer Thompson; four awesome children and six grandchildren: Joshua Paul Thompson, wife Frances Bercier Thompson, their children, Aidan, Dominic, Nathaniel and “Peanut” on the way; Mary Elizabeth Thompson Williams and husband Derek Williams; Fr. Levi Joseph Thompson, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady Queen of Heaven; Esther Anne Thompson Dugas and husband Derrick Dugas II, and their children, Samuel and Blaise.

Frank was born a light to the world in Lake Charles, LA on December 16, 1960 to Deacon Paul Francis Thompson (deceased) and Selma Anne Doucet Thompson; his siblings, Laura Thompson Billings and her husband Henry; Andrew Thompson and his wife, Katherina; Carrie Rigmaiden and her husband, Ricky; John Thompson and his wife, Holly.

 Frank loved walking thru the woods, catching frogs, fishing in ponds, and being in nature. At 14 he became the youngest ever Boy Scout to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. His family moved out to the country, and he built his own log cabin to be his sanctuary for his creative thoughts. This was the first of many homes he would build.  At St. Louis High School he won the state championship on the Debate Team. He loved hiking, camping and canoeing-and actually bought his first canoe from his wife to be, though neither new it then! He loved to play the guitar, and again met his to be wife at an Awakening Retreat on music staff. This started a beautiful relationship of four years of dating where they sang and played guitar for retreats and Mass that fostered into a beautiful Catholic marriage at Our Lady Queen of Heaven on October 29th, 1983. He continued singing for Mass at St. Theodore with his daughter Mary for many years. He and his wife Eva played music for more than twenty years with Holy City Community.  He was a wonderful, fun loving husband and father who always had a joke to tell to make everything more lighthearted.

Frank started his career with his craftsman carpentry skills as Frank Thompson Builder-Custom Doors Cabinets and Millwork. He and his brothers built many homes in Lake Charles. Later he renamed it Historical Reproduction Studio, becoming the only person the Historical Society of LC would allow to remodel any designated Historical LC home. He started doing more specialized work of Artistically Hand Crafted doors and windows and renamed his business again to what it is today, Frank Thompson Studio. As people asked for more glass in his woodwork thus started his nationwide stained glass career. Creating stained glass was more than just an occupation. He was passionate about creating art that had beauty but also speaks to the soul. He got that opportunity when he built stained glass for over 30 churches in this area. His legacy will live on in those many stained glass windows that continue to uplift, comfort, and speak to the soul.

His next venture was a fundraiser for his son, making the Artistic Crosses, which later became a business when the hurricane destroyed his shop. His next and final artistic creation was beautiful, fused glass wall art mounted on polished aluminum with his own creative designs. He named things that he felt represented them like Illumination and Aqua Fantasy. He and Eva traveled for nine years to Art Shows selling his Glass Art.  Frank summarized his career saying, "I now realize that glass has been in my subconscious for almost fifty years, and it has manifested itself in stained glass, leaded glass, faceted glass, beveled glass and now fused glass wall art."  All throughout the country, Frank’s many forms of glass art have brought beauty and joy to the souls of many people. 

As his career grew, so did his family. He and Eva moved out to the country where he was raised and started raising their children. He built an amazingly unique wooden home that looks kinda like a gingerbread house! And converted an old tin storage building into his workshop. He continued adding unique buildings over the next 30 years. He loved that he could work next to his home and be with his family during the day. Eva homeschooled all four children and so they spent many hours next door in the shop with their dad. He taught them all his skills and of course, they are all just as talented taking skills from both parents to surpass us both! What a legacy to leave! They started as helpers and have progressed to being able to do everything he did. And now, they have even built his casket. The boys built the wood part and the girls lined and draped the casket.

He was truly a man of faith. He and Eva raised their children in the Catholic tradition and lived a truly wonderful life together.  He was able to be present to all their activities growing up and was a truly awesome father who loved humor and fun. He was blessed to be able to be there for all of his children's weddings and his son's ordination to the priesthood. What a truly amazing life he lived.  He was an amazing man who was truly loved and cherished  by his family and friends and will greatly missed. 

Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church by Fr. Levi Thompson (his son). Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery in Gillis next to his home under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

https://www.kplctv.com/2022/07/30/acclaimed-glass-artist-frank-thompson-leaves-legacy-inspirational-art/