Stephen E. Thompson

Stephen E. Thompson, known to all as Steve, passed away peacefully at his home in Grove, Oklahoma, on March 8, 2026, at the age of 77. Born on January 15, 1949, in Baird, Texas, to Fred and Patricia (Mitchell) Thompson, he grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from high school in Clinton in 1967. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, a testament to his lifelong respect for learning.

A proud veteran, Steve served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His commitment to service continued through his active involvement with the Disabled American Veterans, where he supported and advocated for fellow veterans. In 1975, he married the love of his life, Gwen Sanders, in Wheeler, Texas. Their marriage of more than fifty years was built on deep love, faith, and partnership. The couple raised three children and moved from Chickasha to Grove in 2011, where they became beloved members of the community.

Steve worked for many years in the oil field and refinery industry, known for his strong work ethic and reliability. He spent twenty-one years with DCP Midstream before retiring in 2011. A man of deep faith, he was an active member of Grove First Baptist Church, where he found particular joy serving in the kitchen and making desserts for others. He embraced life with quiet enthusiasm, enjoying trivia teams, birdwatching, tending his feeders, watching Jeopardy, cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners, fishing, gardening, and home projects. He and Gwen especially cherished traveling together with local groups and celebrating their life together.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Gwen Thompson; his children, Brad Thompson (Jennifer) of Clinton, Oklahoma, Trent Thompson (Tiffany) of Bessie, Oklahoma, and Michelle Hadley (Kris) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; his brother, Victor Thompson of El Dorado, New Mexico; his grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Phillip, Mark, and Danny. He will be remembered for his kindness, his passion for life, his unwavering faith, and the joy he brought to his family and community.