Charles Thompson

1939 - 2021

Charles Thompson
April 13, 1939 - September 8, 2021
Santa Cruz
Charles Arthur Thompson ("Chuck"), 82, died at home on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
As a farm kid in Clark South Dakota, Chuck dreamed of escaping the rigors of farm life. In 1964 he succeeded when he married his Chem lab partner Roberta ("Bobbie") Peterson at the Delta Gamma Sorority House at the University of Idaho, where he graduated with a degree in Chemistry
As a fishing enthusiast in the late 70's, Chuck bought a small aluminum boat to take his family fishing. He became something of a local legend when he tied his new boat to a piling and returned the next day to find his boat dangling from the piling at low tide. For years friends and family savored his homemade fish and chips, that is, until he nearly burned down the house in a grease fire. We will remember those days fondly, Dad.
Chuck worked a a chemist, oven salesman, tavern owner, Good Times deliveryman and real estate agent before finding his true calling as a professional poker player. In 1981, Chuck moved his family from Orcas Island to the West Side of Santa Cruz so he could work as a professional player at the Garden City and Bay 101 Card Clubs in San Jose. He found success at Poker Tournaments around the world including the famed World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, Nevada. His top finishes on ESPN included 3rd place in the 2005 $1,000 Buy-in No Limit Holdem Event and 6th place in the 1996 $10K Buy-in Main Event. Most recently, Chuck finished 7th in the 2018 WSOP Super Senior Event and used the proceeds to purchase a new fishing boat that his kids and grandkids use regularly out of the Santa Cruz Harbor.
Chuck never stopped doing what he loved to do. He played cards at the Bay 101, followed his beloved Giants and kept in touch with his wonderful golf buddies in San Jose through August. Chuck was loved for his kindness, humor, enthusiasm, sensible frugality and love of poker. We will miss him.
Chuck is survived by his wife Bobbie, sons David and Zach, four grandsons, Lucas, Rowan, Marco and Elijah, his sister Donna Haggman, his brother Kirk Tupper and numerous nephews and nieces.
Drew McCarter


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