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Pittsburg woman gets face time with Dr. Phil

Post Date:01/21/2010

City eNews Release: Thursday, January 21, 2010

Pittsburg woman gets face time with Dr. Phil
By Paul Burgarino
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 01/20/2010 03:09:44 PM PST
Updated: 01/21/2010 08:22:41 AM PST

(PITTSBURG, CA) Opal Thompson often can be found rolling around her assisted living facility in a wheelchair, striking up a conversation with everyone she passes.

But when 8 p.m. arrives, the 109-year-old plants herself in front of the television to watch "Dr. Phil."

In addition to making place mats out of holiday cards, playing word search puzzles and keeping up on current events to preserve her mental sharpness, Thompson enjoys watching the talk show. She often talks back to the television when certain topics or guests get her riled up, roommate Claudia Gonzales said.

For the past several years, Thompson's family has taken her to Los Angeles to sit in the audience of the "Dr. Phil" show for her birthday, Jan. 13. Thompson also appeared as a guest for the show's 1,000th episode last February and "hasn't stopped wearing" the diamond bracelet she and other guests received, great-niece Glenda Coccimiglio said.

The family wasn't going to be able to make the trip this year because of financial reasons. But after hearing about the situation, show host Phil McGraw flew her and her family to Southern California for the Jan. 13 taping.

"When I heard that she wasn't going to be able to come, I said no way," McGraw said, lauding Thompson's "spunky and feisty" personality. "To have a woman like Opal, who's such a devoted fan of what we do, that's something I'm really proud of."

Thompson traveled via limousine to and from the airport, and had her own dressing room and hair and makeup done. Dr. Phil and wife Robin presented her with a birthday cake during the show, and the audience sang "Happy Birthday."

"I was surprised. Why would he want to spend money on a nobody like me," Thompson said.

Thompson added that she and Dr. Phil have a connection because they "are both Okies" — meaning they are from Oklahoma.

The show is set to air locally at 8 tonight on KRON Channel 4.

"When she came back (to Pittsburg), a lot of the residents were calling her 'Miss Hollywood,' " Coccimiglio said, because Thompson was wearing sunglasses due to the lights in the limo.

Thompson was born in 1901, when Oklahoma was still Indian territory, and has lived through 20 presidencies. Though she has some hearing problems, she still can recount many stories about her life and share opinions on current events.

Thompson also drove until she turned 103.

"I hope I can be close to that sharp when I'm older. She doesn't miss much," McGraw said.

Gonzales, 58, added: "She's unbelievable. Just listening to the stories she remembers and the detail."

Thompson grew up as one of 12 children on a farm, sandwiched between five boys. She still vividly recounts stories about growing up around the boys, her professional wrestler husband, living in a prison when her husband became a guard at Folsom state prison, and making chicken and biscuits while waitressing at a restaurant in Long Beach.

She also worked as a clerk in a health food store for 30 years in Long Beach.

Even to this day, Thompson never forgets to put moisturizer on her face and neck "to prevent wrinkles." She doesn't leave her room until her eyebrows are sculpted, her clothes match and look neat, and her hair is perfectly set. Thompson credits her longevity to her faith and "the love of Jesus in my life."

As far as going back on TV with Dr. Phil for her 110th birthday, McGraw said: "She told me, 'I'll be here if you're still here.' "

Contact Paul Burgarino at 925-779-7164. Follow him at Twitter.com/pittsburgarino.

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