Robert James Thompson

Robert James Thompson, affectionately known as Bob, or Pastor Bob, peacefully transitioned to his eternal home on Monday, August 29th, 2022.

Bob was born in Fort Irwin, California on December 5th, 1961, to Robert and Grace Thompson. He attended school in Zaneis, Oklahoma until the 8th grade, then decided to finish school by GED and enter the work force. Bob started his own hay hauling business at the age of 14 and never slowed down. He acquired many skills at a young age while working construction, mechanic work, cooking and working in the Oil industry at Sutherland Well Service in Wilson, Oklahoma. He also worked for 18 years for the John Pickle Company/ Port City Plate in Tulsa, Oklahoma before starting his own company Thompson Trading in 2004. He could perform maintenance and repair just about any vehicle or machine and was always the first one that his family would call when something needed to be fixed. Some would say that he was 'Jack of all Trades' and quite honestly, he mastered most anything he put his hands to.

Bob met the love of his life, Vicki Hopper in 1991 and they married just 6 weeks later on June 10th of the same year.

Their love was the tie that bound 2 families together into one. Shortly after they married, Bob and Vicki settled in Catoosa, Oklahoma where they finished raising their children.

From the beginning, they always placed God at the center of their marriage and served the Lord in various ministries including Children's and Youth ministries. In 2001 they founded E.S.C.A.P.E. Ministries and for 7 years they held kids camps in the summer, free of charge for every child who attended. In 2004 they opened E.S.C.A.P.E. Ministry in Cleveland, Oklahoma which continues to serve Cleveland and surrounding communities. In 2006 they began having church services at E.S.C.A.P.E. and the E.S.C.A.P.E. Church was created.

In 2008, Bob and Vicki made their home in Cleveland to be closer for ministry purposes and better serve the community. While continually seeking the Lord for ways to minister to the area, the Thompsons opened the Manna Cafe (Food from Heaven) in 2010 serving thousands of free meals in the last 12 years. When Pastor Bob moved to Cleveland his prayer was that God would bring the body of Christ together and make Cleveland "A city after God's own Heart."

When he did take a break from serving others, Bob loved to make memories with his family. Time with his wife, children and grandchildren were his most cherished days. He loved to hike and fish and take the family camping; the running joke was 'if we need rain, just send Bob Thompson camping.'

If Bob could be described by one sentence it would be: He Loved people and he yearned for them to give their lives to Jesus.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife Vicki of 31 years; his children Brian Thompson and wife Jolynn, Angie Brink and husband Bobby, Christi Phillips, and James Thompson; 18 Grandchildren; 2 Great Grandchildren; sister Jeannie Beetz; sister Lou Roy and husband Chris; Pastor Mike Griffin and wife Crystal; sister Charlotte Leverett and husband Steve; sister Rachel Gray and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his daughter Andrea Woods; father Robert Thompson; Mother Grace Arnold; and Stepmother Mary Thompson.

Memorial Services will be held Thursday, September 8th at

11:00am at the First Christian Church, 100 S. Division,

Cleveland, OK.

**In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to E.S.C.A.P.E. Ministries, in Bob's memory.

(PO Box 220, Cleveland, OK 74020).

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