Norman, OK - Paul M. Thompson passed away on January 17 in his Norman, OK home. Paul was born on November 12, 1950, in Ada, OK to Faye Kennemer Thompson and Bobby (Robert K.) Thompson. He preceded his twin brother, Ronald, by only a few minutes. After losing Faye, they and their older brother (Jerry) Bob were raised by their mother Virginia Mitchell Thompson and their father.

Paul attended Ada schools, graduating from Ada High School in 1969. In 1973, he graduated with a history and political science degree from East Central University. During this period, Paul acquired a love of barbecue and a work ethic from his father while hauling hay and working at Ada Auto Supply.

Moving to Norman, Paul pursued a University of Oklahoma graduate degree. However, a job at Davidson and Case Lumber Company changed his vocational trajectory. Learning the home construction business, Paul and Ronald founded and operated Osage Orange Construction for 50 years.

In Norman, Paul met and married Susan M. Bush Thompson. They share a daughter Elizabeth J. Thompson. Together they nurtured Elizabeth's competitive amateur swimming and academic prowess that led to her Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science. Paul served on the Middle Earth Child Care Center Board of Directors and Lakeview Elementary School PTA.

Elizabeth's swimming talent segwayed into Paul' s involvement in competitive swimming via volunteer and leadership roles in Oklahoma Swimming, Central Zone Region 8, and USA Swimming Board of Directors. He was driven to improve opportunities for swimmers and the experience of coaches and community volunteers. His final multi-year role was Meet Director for the King Marlin Swim Club's Pro- Am Meet.

Besides time with his family, Paul loved political discussions, movies, OU sports, and dogs. His household usually included one to three dogs: often German shepherds.

Paul was preceded in death by all three parents as well as father and mother in-law Rev. Richard and Mary Bush, brother Bob, great niece Rachel Thompson, and great nephew Cody Smith.

Survivors include: wife Susan; daughter Elizabeth, her fiancée Justin Elways and his daughter Stella Mae; brother Ronald, his wife Rahmona; sister in-law Nancy, her children (John) Mark and his wife Debbie, Melissa Smith, and Matthew; sister in-law Ellen Frenkel, her children Mishe and Will; brother in-law Richard Bush, his wife Marty and their children Sharman and Andrew; brother in-law Paul Bush, his wife Patty and their children Sarah and Tucker; eight great nieces and nephews; and one great-great nephew.

Celebration of Life will be held at Legends Times Two in Norman on Saturday February 7 at 2pm. The family suggests donations to Second Chance Animal Rescue of Norman at https://secondchancenorman.networkforgood.com, or to Habitat for Humanity at https://roserockhabitat.org/donate/.

Services under the direction of John Ireland Funeral Home, Moore, OK.