Mr. W. Tyson Thompson, age 89, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama.

W. Tyson Thompson was born May 27, 1937, in Opp, Alabama, the third child of Iules Thompson and Lottie Gordon Greathouse Thompson, both of whom predeceased him, as did his older sister, Martha Elizabeth Thompson Taylor (Joe) and older brother Joel Cephus Thompson, (Dorothy) known as J.C. He is survived by two younger brothers, John Wayne Thompson (Barbara, deceased), and Benny Frank Thompson (Sherrie). He is also survived by seven nephews; Jimmy Wayne Taylor (Kathy) Larry Frank Taylor, Robert Joel Thompson (Tracy), Jack Vogel Thompson (Regina), John Curtis Thompson (Tracy), Russell Wayne Thompson (Wendy), Jody Lamar Thompson (Tina). Nephew Johnny Frank Thompson is deceased. He is also survived by 18 grand nephews and nieces and 19 great grand nephews and nieces.

Mr. Thompson graduated from Opp High School in 1955 and attended Southwest Mississippi Jr. College on a music scholarship, after which, he earned a BS Degree in Science from Troy State Teacher's College, now Troy University. He taught for three years before taking a year off in order to earn a Master's Degree in combined Sciences from the University of Mississippi. He continued his education at Birmingham Southern College, and Alabama State University. Mr. Thompson also taught Chemistry and Biology at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama for 17 years before taking a position with the Alabama State Department of Education as an Education Specialist for 21 years before retiring in 1998. The last two years he was coordinator of the Chapter 2 Federal Program.

He was a life time member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, beginning in the Fall of 1959, until he passed away. He was the church Sunday school secretary for the last 15 or more years.

Under the auspice of the Consortium for Intercultural Understanding he was invited to attend a summer institute at the University of Ghana in west central Africa. The purpose of the institute was to do research and write a teaching unit which was published in a text book by the NEA. He was also a counselor for 4 summers in a traveling school which took groups of high school students to study while touring several European countries. He enjoyed traveling and took several tours to China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and Israel, as well as all European countries. As a result of his travels, Mr. Thompson authored the book "Travel, One of Education's Best Tools."

Funeral services for Mr. W. Tyson Thompson will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, September 18, 2026 from Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Tom Smith will be officiating with Curtis Thompson, Russ Thompson, Jody Thompson, Robert Thompson, Jack Thompson and Larry Taylor serving as pallbearers.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.