Venice High School Alumni
Los Angeles, California (CA)
In Memory of
Phillip Gordon Thompson
1949-2025
Born May 20, 1949, Phillip Gordon Thompson attended Venice High School in Los Angeles, CA.
Class of 1967
May 20, 1949 - Oct 13, 2025
May 20, 1949 - Oct 13, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of S67 Phil Thompson, who passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer on Monday October 13, 2025 at a desert hospice facility in Palm Springs, California surrounded by family. He was 76.
Phillip Gordon Deffenbaugh was born on May 20, 1949 to Darlene Phyllis Thulin and William ‘Bill’ Claude Deffenbaugh. Sadly, Phil’s mother Darlene Beyers passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 1951 in Los Angeles at the age of 25. Darlene was born in Nebraska and was living in Kansas City before moving to Venice. She was laid to rest at Floral Hills Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
After his mother's passing, Phil was raised by his Aunt Doris Thulin Thompson and her husband, Wilfred Dean ‘Tom’ Thompson, in Venice, California along with his cousin Tommy Thompson.
Phil attended Grandview Elementary School and Marina del Rey Junior High.
???? While at Venice High School, Phil used his musical talent with his skills as an amazing trumpet player and became a member of the Venice High School Marching Band, and the Crescendos. In 1967, the Crescendos were first place winners in the national inter-collegiate jazz festival for western states which was held at Cerritos College. Mr. Paney and his talented musicians brought the honor and glory home to Venice High.
? Phil was voted “Most Musical” for his class in 1967.
Phil was very well liked, and a part of a crew of 13 great guys, all of which all had unique nicknames. Phil was known as ‘PG’ and Kinky. That group was tight; they surfed and partied together. Phil loved to surf! Phil graduated with the Summer 1967 Les Uniques Class.
After graduation, Phil took some classes at Santa Monica Junior College and then Saddleback College where he received an award for the ‘Best Jazz Musician.’
He married Santa Monica High School grad Cheryl Ann Halladay four months after graduation on October 11, 1968 in Los Angeles. They welcomed a son Sean Gregory in 1969.
Phil enlisted in the Army in 1969, and completed his basic training at Fort Ord, California. Phil was then stationed at an Army base in Arizona, where he went on to become a bugler with the military ceremonial unit where he played taps at memorials for the servicemen that were killed in Vietnam.
Phil and Cheryl were divorced in 1979.
Phil worked for the telephone company in Los Angeles for many years and after that he worked at various motels doing maintenance. In 1990 he met and fell in love with Winifred ‘Winnie’ Thomson whom he met in Venice. They eventually moved to Cathedral City where they shared a wonderful life together until her death in 2016.
Phil was preceded in death by his loving companion Winnie, his parents, his older brother Glen Deffenbaugh, Aunt Doris Thompson, and Uncle Wilfred Thompson.
He is survived by his son Sean, a granddaughter, cousin S67 Tommy ‘TR’ Thompson, his adoring niece Kiana Hall, and a large extended family.
A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.
May his soul rest in peace
Phillip Gordon Deffenbaugh was born on May 20, 1949 to Darlene Phyllis Thulin and William ‘Bill’ Claude Deffenbaugh. Sadly, Phil’s mother Darlene Beyers passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 1951 in Los Angeles at the age of 25. Darlene was born in Nebraska and was living in Kansas City before moving to Venice. She was laid to rest at Floral Hills Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
After his mother's passing, Phil was raised by his Aunt Doris Thulin Thompson and her husband, Wilfred Dean ‘Tom’ Thompson, in Venice, California along with his cousin Tommy Thompson.
Phil attended Grandview Elementary School and Marina del Rey Junior High.
???? While at Venice High School, Phil used his musical talent with his skills as an amazing trumpet player and became a member of the Venice High School Marching Band, and the Crescendos. In 1967, the Crescendos were first place winners in the national inter-collegiate jazz festival for western states which was held at Cerritos College. Mr. Paney and his talented musicians brought the honor and glory home to Venice High.
? Phil was voted “Most Musical” for his class in 1967.
Phil was very well liked, and a part of a crew of 13 great guys, all of which all had unique nicknames. Phil was known as ‘PG’ and Kinky. That group was tight; they surfed and partied together. Phil loved to surf! Phil graduated with the Summer 1967 Les Uniques Class.
After graduation, Phil took some classes at Santa Monica Junior College and then Saddleback College where he received an award for the ‘Best Jazz Musician.’
He married Santa Monica High School grad Cheryl Ann Halladay four months after graduation on October 11, 1968 in Los Angeles. They welcomed a son Sean Gregory in 1969.
Phil enlisted in the Army in 1969, and completed his basic training at Fort Ord, California. Phil was then stationed at an Army base in Arizona, where he went on to become a bugler with the military ceremonial unit where he played taps at memorials for the servicemen that were killed in Vietnam.
Phil and Cheryl were divorced in 1979.
Phil worked for the telephone company in Los Angeles for many years and after that he worked at various motels doing maintenance. In 1990 he met and fell in love with Winifred ‘Winnie’ Thomson whom he met in Venice. They eventually moved to Cathedral City where they shared a wonderful life together until her death in 2016.
Phil was preceded in death by his loving companion Winnie, his parents, his older brother Glen Deffenbaugh, Aunt Doris Thompson, and Uncle Wilfred Thompson.
He is survived by his son Sean, a granddaughter, cousin S67 Tommy ‘TR’ Thompson, his adoring niece Kiana Hall, and a large extended family.
A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.
May his soul rest in peace