They repelled their highly fancied opponents throughout a dour first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break and only grew in confidence as the game wore on in the second half.
Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell locked it up at 2-2 with a penalty goal early in the second half.
But it was the Tigers who continued to look more likely to score, despite losing halfback Luke Brooks to the sin bin for 10 minutes.
The home team regained the lead with Lolohea's 62nd minute penalty goal before Roosters winger Blake Ferguson crossed for the game's first try three minutes later, with Mitchell's conversion making it 8-4.
Then came Thompson's heroics and Lolohea's steely nerve and accurate boot with a kick that went in off the left hand upright.
It was an impressive performance from the Tigers, who also overcame the 42nd-minute sin-binning of Brooks for a professional foul.
The win steals the thunder of Roosters debutant and key signing Cooper Cronk. It also ruined the club debut of former Tigers star James Tedesco, who bombed a certain first-half try and was incessantly booed by the crowd of 18,243.
Returning son Benji Marshall was also strong for his former side, winding back the clock with a vintage playmaking performance to celebrate his comeback to the club.
Former Warriors prop Ben Matulino was strong in defence for the Tigers.
Wests Tigers 10 (C. Thompson try; T. Lolohea 3 goals) Sydney Roosters 8 (B. Ferguson try; L. Mitchell 2 goals). Halftime: 2-2.
