Paul Hampton Thomson

Paul Hampton Thomson, age 71, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on December 24, 2025.

He was born in Washington, D.C. on October 30, 1954, and after moving from Arlington, Virginia in 1966, spent most of his formative years on the family's farm, Golden Acres Orchard in Warren County, Virginia. His immediate family includes his wife of forty years, Anna Gildersleeve Thomson, married December 28, 1985, and three sons, Samuel Scott Thomson of Okayama, Japan, James Walton Thomson of Dyer, Indiana, and Augustus Timberlake Thomson of Charleston, West Virginia.

Paul had an exuberance for life, always ready to lend a hand to those in need and encourage others to pursue their dreams. He lived a life marked by leadership, service, and a deep commitment to his family, friends, and community. From an early age, he tackled tasks, challenges and adventures with confidence and enthusiasm - traits that shaped both his professional path and his personal life.

Paul attended Powhatan School (class of 1969) and Staunton Military Academy (class of 1973). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Washington and Lee University in 1977 where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and served as captain of the cross country and track teams. He later returned to Washington and Lee University School of Law, earning his law degree in 1983.

Before beginning his legal career, Paul served in the United States Army Field Artillery, attaining the rank of Captain. His service included assignments in Alaska with Arctic and Mountain units, where he also served as an intelligence officer. Following his military service, he worked as a backcountry ranger with the National Park Service in the Olympic National Park and completed his first year of law school in Tacoma, Washington.

Paul started practicing law in Winchester with Joseph A. Massie, Jr., PC in 1985. He was elected Winchester Commonwealth's Attorney in 1986 and served four terms, until 2001 followed by private practice as a criminal defense attorney. Over the course of his career, he tried more than 200 felony jury trials and thousands of non-jury cases. Known for his keen sense of the law, preparation, courtroom presence, and candor, Paul earned the respect of colleagues, judges, and clients throughout the region.

Music remained a constant throughout Paul's life. An avid musician from a young age, he played acoustic and electric guitar, performed, and supported live music for decades. He was proud to serve as chairman of the Blues House fundraisers in Winchester, Virginia, from 1999 to 2001, and later served as a leader of the Winchester All Star Blues Band. Paul was active in Winchester's music community over the years, playing for and supporting numerous local events. Music was not simply a hobby for him, it was a lifelong source of joy, connection, and expression.

In later years, Paul dedicated himself to supporting people and organizations in the recovery community throughout the region. He coached an untold number of people struggling with addiction and its effect on individuals as well as family members. This work reflected his belief in accountability, dignity, redemption and second chances.

Above all else, Paul was a devoted family man, mentor, and friend. He valued hard work, personal responsibility, and service to others. He loved spending time with family and friends on outdoor adventures such as summiting mountains, ski trips out west, especially New Mexico, and long hikes in the Shenandoah Valley. Recently, he found great joy in restoring his family's cottage, Cliff Side, located in Milldale on the Shenandoah River. Paul's legacy will live on through the many lives he influenced with his enthusiasm for life, compassion and perseverance through thick and thin, that distinctive "PT mojo".

Paul was preceded in death by infant son, Thomas Timberlake Thomson, his father, A.P. Thomson, and his mother, Cliffie Adeline Thomson.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Gildersleeve Thomson; his three sons, James Walton Thomson, Samuel Scott Thomson, and Augustus Timberlake Thomson; his three brothers, Augustus Pembroke Thomson, III, John Scott Thomson, and James Stacy Thomson; as well as extended family, friends, colleagues, fellow musicians, and countless individuals whose lives he touched.

A service celebrating Paul's life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Winchester, Virginia on Friday, January 2, 2026, at ll:00 a.m. followed by internment at Mount Hebron Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be at Jones Funeral Home on Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Edgehill Recovery Center 315 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia, 22601, edgehillrecovery.org, and Friends of the Shenandoah River, Karen Anderson, 1460 University Drive, Gregory Hall, Winchester, Virginia 22601, fosr.org.