Peter Drake Thompson Jr.

Peter Drake Thompson, Jr. passed away peacefully in his son's home on May 1st, 2020 at the age of 80. Pete was born and raised in New Orleans, LA and attended Metairie Park Country Day School. There, he made lifelong friends and relationships he held dear to his very last days. He graduated from Tulane University School of Engineering and received a Masters of Engineering from LSU. Active with the United States space program throughout the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs, he held a true and personal responsibility for their successes and failures. Once finding his way into the Petroleum field, he excelled as well. He was proud of his work with several massive tension-leg oil platforms: Ram/Powell, Brutus, and Ursa. Becoming a go-to guy and chief problem solver, he was touted by many to offer the immeasurable "Pete Thompson Factor." Pete was a patient, calm, and persistent educator in all ways. Two notable successes were with his son (who never really wanted to learn or listen to what he was saying but ultimately did and is eternally grateful), and a position teaching for 11 years at University of New Orleans. There he taught numerous different mechanical engineering courses. Whatever needed teaching, he learned it and got the job done. As an undeterred do-it-yourself guy, he would tackle any project. There was never a time limit, as "haste makes waste" was a favored motto. Affable, engaging, and quick with a joke, "Pete the Pest" was a loyal colleague and friend in many different circles. Throughout his life he enjoyed amateur radio, military history, Ferrari Formula One, and collecting and distributing jokes and recipes. It was not until he met Carol 25 years ago that the real fun started. After wreaking havoc on New Orleans for a while, they moved to Ocean Springs, MS where they enjoyed new and old friends, beach life, cooking, visiting casinos and golf, where Pete poorly attempted to keep up with Carol. There they also designed their dream home and raised their newest baby Snuggles. Pete served in his quiet and thoughtful way through The Lord is My Help providing and later delivering meals to those in need. Most recently, he moved to Charleston, SC where more treasured memories were made with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons. He is survived by his son, Peter Hendon Gordon Thompson (Lori Ezman) of Mt Pleasant, SC; his two grandchildren, Rohan Hendon Drake Thompson and Sawyer Victor Gordon Thompson; his niece, Jean Gabrielle Romano Hiraga (Eric) of Denver, CO; and his two nephews Samuel Andrew Romano III of Metairie, LA and John Christian Romano of Lynchburg, VA (Stephanie and Drew). He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Ann Schneider of Geneva, NE who will be interred alongside him; his mother, Francis Cline Drake Thompson; his father, Peter Harald Niels Thomsen; and his sister, Jean Bonnar Romano. Memorials may be made to The Lord is My Help, 1205 Desoto St, Ocean Springs. MS 39564. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com.