Ralph Gordon Thompson
Encyclopedia
Ralph Gordon Thompson 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 resigned 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.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
, Thompson received a B.B.A. from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 1956 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Oklahoma College of Law
University of Oklahoma College of Law
The University of Oklahoma College of Law is an ABA-certified law school located on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Oklahoma. Currently, the College of Law has an enrollment of 527 law students....
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
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
from 1961 to 1975. He was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
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
United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
The United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma is a Federal district court....
. Thompson was nominated by President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
on September 24, 1975, to a seat vacated by Stephen S. Chandler, Jr.. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on October 9, 1975, and received his commission on October 14, 1975. He served as chief judge from 1986-1993. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on December 16, 1999. Thompson served in that capacity until August 6, 2007 when he resigned 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.