Born in Barbour County, West Virginia, son of James Otis Thompson, Sr. and Iris Daugherty Thompson, October 26, 1919, died August 25, 1975. Gearl attended the schools of Barbour County but he did not attend high school. His first work on public work programs was with the NYA, National Youth Administration. The NYA and WPA were programs that Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States, put into effect during the Great Depression. He worked at the woolen mill in Philippi. On June 4, 1942 he entered the Army. While home on leave one weekend, he married Laurenis Phares. They had two children, Louise and Evalee. He went overseas in November 1942 and fought in the European Theater, Africa, Sicily, Italy. After returning home from the Army after the War, he worked for the Western Maryland Railroad Company, but later furloughed. He went back in the coal mines. He got injured by a roof fall around 1960 or 1961. He was never able to work on public works after that time. He like children, all children. He served with the 21^st Engineer during his time in the Army. Gearl was buried at the Barbour Memorial Cemetery at Corley, Barbour County.

Gearl liked to eat chicken. My daughter Debbie, when she was small, called him Uncle Chicken Eater. Gearl’s children and widow are living in Elkins, West Virginia. Louise married Loman Judy. They have two children, Lisa and Mike. Lisa married Jeff Haney. Lisa and Jeff lost their only child, Jeff Haney, Jr., 4 years old in the month of January, 1994. He died of cancer. Mike is still single. Gearl played the mandolin.

By Robert Thompson, brother - 2003

Update below by Dawn Philipps - granddaughter - 7/16/05

    Waitman Gearl Thompson was born on October 26, 1919 to James Otis Thompson Sr. and Iris Daugherty Thompson. He died on August 25, 1975. He married Lurenis Phares. They had two daughters, Virginia Louise and Evalee.

         
    Louise married Loman Judy and had two children, Lisa and Mike.  Louise and Loman live in Elkins. Loman is retired from the US Navy and the Huttonsville Correctional Facility. Lousie is a homemaker.

 
    Lisa married Jeff Haney and had a son, Jeffery Haney Jr. He was born on March 31, 1989 and died on January 12, 1994 due to cancer. Lisa and Jeff divorced. She married Edward Thompson Jr., and had two children; Summer, born on June 17, 1995 and Joey, born July 27, 1996.  Lisa and Eddie have since divorced. Lisa lives in Elkins with her children, and is currently employed at the Elkins Wal-Mart Vision Center.

    Mike married Tammy Heitz and had a daughter, MiKayla, born March 8, 1995. Mike and Tammy later divorced. Mike is now married to Christina Menear. Mike lives with his wife in Elkins, and is employed at the WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources. MiKayla lives in Shinnston, WV with her mother.

    Evalee married Douglas Phillips and had two children, Eric and Dawn. Evalee and Doug have divorced.  Evalee lives in Elkins and is employed at the WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources with almost 38 years of service.

    Eric graduated from Davis and Elkins College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality and Tourism. He has worked and lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. He currently lives in Elkins and is employed at the WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources.

    Dawn is attending Fairmont State University and will graduate in December of 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree and possibly a Doctorate’s degree in education. Dawn lives in Fairmont and Elkins part-time and is employed by FSU and Elkins Regional Convalescent Center.

    Today, Lurenis lives in Elkins and is a member of the Goff St. Church of Christ. All of Gearl’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren have the love of music that he did, whether it is listening to cd’s, singing or the desire to learn how to play instruments.