Keith Thomson
Senator-elect Thomson dies of Heart Attack
Keith Thomson, 41, Wyoming's Senator-elect died in Cody Friday from a heart attack. Funeral services were held Tuesday, and leaders from throughout Wyoming as well as many national leaders gathered to pay tribute to him. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Thomson, a Republican, was a conservative leader in Washington. He was reared on a ranch near Newcastle, was a graduate of Wyoming University, had a brilliant World War II record and at 24 was the youngest battalion commander in the Army. He served three consecutive terms in Congress and was the only Wyoming Congressman elevated directly to the Senate.
Since his death speculation has been running high on who will be appointed to serve the first two years of his term. One source claims that the present Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney may be legally qualified to continue his seat without an appointment from Wyoming's Governor J. J. Hickey, but most authorities believe that the Governor has the right to make the appointment after a vacancy occurs on January 3 when the Senators are sworn in. Governor Hickey will doubtless announce the appointment in the immediate future so that the appointee can start setting up his staff.
Thomson is survived by his wife, Thyra, and three sons, Bruce, William, and Casey.
Graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington next week.