Ralph Gordon Thompson

Ralph Gordon Thompson (born 1934) is a former United States federal judge.

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Thompson received a B.B.A. from the University of Oklahoma in 1956 and a J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1961. He was a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant from 1957 to 1960. He was a U.S. Air Force Reserve Colonel from 1961 to 1987. He was in private practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from 1961 to 1975. He was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1966 to 1970. He was an Assistant minority (Republican) leader from 1966 to 1970.

Thompson was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Thompson was nominated by President Gerald Ford on September 24, 1975, to a seat vacated by Stephen S. Chandler, Jr.. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 9, 1975, and received his commission on October 14, 1975. He served as chief judge from 1986-1993. He assumed senior status on December 16, 1999. Thompson served in that capacity until August 6, 2007 when he retired from his position making room for his successor and son-in-law, the newly appointed Timothy D. DeGiusti. Federal law prohibits close relatives from serving concurrently on the Federal bench.

Sources

• Ralph Gordon Thompson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.