Keith Thomson (politician)

Keith Thomson
United States Senator-elect fromWyoming
In office Died before taking office
Preceded by	Joseph C. O'Mahoney
Succeeded by	John J. Hickey
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromWyoming'sat-largedistrict
In office January 3, 1955 – December 9, 1960
Preceded by	William Harrison
Succeeded by	William Harrison
Member of theWyoming House of Representatives
In office 1952–1954
Personal details
Born	Edwin Keith Thomson (1919-02-08)February 8, 1919 Newcastle, Wyoming,U.S.
Died	December 9, 1960(1960-12-09)(aged 41) Cody, Wyoming,U.S.
Resting place	Arlington National Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Thyra Godfrey ​ (m.1939)​
Children	3
Education	University of Wyoming(LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1941–1946
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	World War II

Edwin Keith Thomson(February 8, 1919 – December 9, 1960), usually known as Keith Thomson, was aUnited States representativefromWyoming.A highly decoratedWorld War IIveteran, Thomson served three terms in Wyoming's only U.S. House seat. On November 8, 1960, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, but died a month later of a heart attack before taking office.

Early life

Born inNewcastle,Wyoming, he grew up on a ranch inCrook Countyand attended public schools inBeulah,Wyoming, andSpearfish, South Dakota.He graduated in 1941 from theUniversity of WyomingLaw School inLaramie.While in law school he met his wife,Thyra Godfrey Thomson,and they were married in 1939.

Military service

Thomson was called toactive dutyon March 24, 1941 and commanded the Second Battalion, 362nd Infantry Regiment,91st Division.He was released from active duty as a lieutenant colonel on January 24, 1946. He had been admitted to thebarin 1941 and commenced the practice of law inCheyennein February 1946; he was a delegate to the1952 Republican National ConventioninChicagoand was a member of theWyoming House of Representativesfrom 1952 to 1954.

Political career

Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

Thomson was elected as a member of theRepublican Partyto theEighty-fourth,Eighty-fifth,andEighty-sixthCongresses and served from January 3, 1955, until his death. Thomson voted in favor of theCivil Rights Acts of 1957and1960.He did not seek renomination to the Eighty-seventh Congress, but was elected to theUnited States Senateon November 8, 1960, for the term commencing January 3, 1961. However, he died of aheart attackinCody,Wyoming in December, before his term in the Senate began. Democratic GovernorJohn J. Hickeyappointed himself to the seat but was defeated in a 1962 special election to serve out the term by RepublicanMilward L. Simpson.Thomson was interred atArlington National Cemetery.

Following Thomson's death, his wifeThyra Thomsonwas elected in 1962 asWyoming Secretary of State.She was re-elected to five more terms, and served in that office for twenty-four years, until 1987.

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–1999)

External links

• United States Congress."Keith Thomson (id: T000229)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• TheEdwin Keith Thomson papersat theAmerican Heritage Center