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BORN
1948
DIED
2022
Carl Thompson Obituary
May 20, 1948 - December 23, 2022
Carl was born in a sugar plantation hospital on Hawaii Island before moving to Honolulu with his parents at age three. After graduation from UC Davis, where he met his wife, he and Susan relocated to Honolulu. An opportunity to work construction on the Mainland eventually brought him and his young family to Petaluma 33 years ago.
Carl grew up in the water and surfed with OG elders like John Kelly, Wally Froiseth, and George Downing. Besides Hawaii, he was fortunate to have surfed Mexico, Baja, Panama, Nicaragua, The Maldives, and Bali. He was a regular at Salmon Creek and made many friends along the Sonoma Coast.
COVID complications did him in after a long battle with Parkinson's and dementia. Carl is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan; sister, Carol Okay, of Pleasant Hill; children, Emma and Sam. He is grandfather to Ozzy, Suki, and Donny.
Carl was generous, kind, creative, athletic and a good guy who will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Creekside and Hospice of Petaluma who helped care for him. Ashes will be scattered by family at some of his favorite spots along the Sonoma Coast and in Hawaii.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carl Thompson
6 Entries
Windy Williamson Smith
August 7, 2024
Some of my favorite memories as a child were visits with the Thompsons. I always remember Carl and Susan being so nice to me, like 2nd parents. I've just learned about his passing and am deeply saddened by this news. I am thinking about you Susan, Emma, and Sam.
Nathan Ching
February 14, 2023
I had the joy and good fortune to first meet Carl as a younger apprentice in carpentry. We worked for a small homebuilder doing expensive custom homes.
The inept foreman gave the most complicated builds to Carl and me.
Working with Carl taught me everything I needed to know about excellence and how to bring others along with you.
See you on the next job, Carl,
jNathan Ching
Kathy Bridges
February 4, 2023
I have known Carl all my life, or rather, Carl knew me all my life, as he was older than me. Our parents were friends, although my family lived in San Francisco and the Thompsons lived in Honolulu. Whenever we visited Hawaii, we would stay at the Thompson home and whenever they came to the mainland, they would stay with us.
Our mothers were both Japanese American and our fathers white. Us kids were hapa-haole. I always considered Carl´s mother my Hawaiian mother, and Carl and Carol as my Hawaiian siblings.
I remember one trip to Hawaii, where I met Carl´s girlfriend, Susan. We went to the beach and watched Carl surf. I liked her immensely and was happy to learn they were married.
We went on to live our separate adult lives, but I will always remember Carl´s kind teasing of this teenage girl and his crooked smile. May you always catch the big one, Brudda.
Ema Straub
February 3, 2023
My condolences. I have many fond memories of Carl. It was always a pleasure to talk to Carl when he came into the store.
Ema
Gary Higgins
February 3, 2023
Aloha 'oe a Hui Hou Kakou.
Had the pleasure of surfing with Carl at Bolinas, and sharing stories of Hawaii and surfing in Hawaii with many notable "locals" as did Carl.
Allen Adams
February 3, 2023
So sad to hear about Carl, I worked with him for several years in the concrete business and always admired him and his talent, not to mention his attitude and being a real gentleman.
Our thoughts are with the family and I'll always remember Carl and his positive personality.
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