Dr. George D. Thompson

Dr. George D. Thompson August 12, 1924 – July 31, 2006 Dr. George D. Thompson of West, died Monday, July 31, 2006 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. The funeral service will be at 11:30 am on Wednesday, August 2 at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Bosque Chapel, 6101 Bosque Blvd with Rev. Ron Durham officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with the family is from 6 – 8 pm, Tuesday, August 1 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Dr. Thompson was born in Hillsboro, Texas on August 12, 1924 to Anderson Eugene Thompson and Flora May Simmons Thompson. He entered the United States Army Air Corps immediately before graduating from Hillsboro High School. He enlisted on April 15, 1943 and served three and a half years. After training in several bases in the United States, he spent the later part of the war in the China, Burma India Command and flew “The Hump” as a Navigator-Radio Operator in C 46 and C 47 planes. After his discharge in 1946, he started his college work at Hillsboro Jr. College. From there he transferred to Baylor University, Waco, Texas and in May 1949, graduated with a BA Degree, Majoring in Psychology with a Minor in Education. In August 1950, he received his M. A. with a Major in Counseling and Guidance with a Minor in Clinical Psychology. Several years later he returned to Baylor University, and earned his Ed. D degree in June 1961, having a Major in Administrative Education and a Minor in Curriculum and Supervision. On June 9, 1949, he married his wife of 57 years, Martha Demetra Musgrave Thompson at the First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Texas. His teaching experience included every level from elementary through High School in the Edinburg Texas School system. His administrative work began at LaVega Independent School District, Waco, Texas in 1954 as Pupil Personnel Director. In 1955 he was made Assistant High School Principal, and in that year he was elected Junior-Senior High School Principal. From LaVega, he moved to Alvin Independent School District, Alvin, Texas for the 1960-64 years as High School Principal. The move was then made to the Port Arthur Independent School District, Port Arthur, Texas as Director of Secondary Education, and later was made Assistant Superintendent of Instruction until 1974. The summer of 1974, he moved to the Rio Grande Valley as Professor of Education at the University of Pan American. He enjoyed the teaching of teachers in courses toward a degree that would qualify them for Middle Management Educational positions. In 1985, he retired to the work of running a small ranch near Aquilla on land he dearly loved. A number of hobbies included the collecting of rare books, specializing in Winston S. Churchill, the American Civil War, and Texana, along with ranching, and public speaking. Some of the activities that he felt were meaningful were his becoming a deacon while at First Baptist Church in Edinburg. He served as an active deacon while in Alvin and Port Arthur. It was while in Port Arthur that he did much of his civic duties. He was Vice President of the United Community Services, a member of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Rotary Club and president in years 1971-1 972. Several other organizations could be named. He was a Consultant or Director at six different Universities with the Texas Association of Student Councils in summer workshops. At the time of his death, Dr. Thompson was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and Dr. Cresson’s Bible Study Class, which he dearly loved. When it was apparent that he could no longer attend, his concern was who would get the doughnut holes for his class. George was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Mildred Estelle Thompson, and one step-sister, Dorothy Marie Crouch of Hillsboro, Texas. Family was one of the most important things in George’s life. His grandchildren knew that if they were to be with their grandfather they were expected to learn at least one thing. Survivors include his wife, Demetra Musgrave Thompson, of West, Texas; sons, George David Thompson and wife, Kay McCoy Thompson of West, Texas, and James Eugene Thompson and wife, Vickie Jones Thompson of Abbott, Texas; Six grandchildren, David Benjamin Thompson and wife, Jamie Harris Thompson, Daniel Lee Thompson, and Whitney Lynn Thompson Mechell and husband, Brian Mechell, all of West, Texas, Seth Anderson Thompson and wife, Sarah Woodard Thompson of Waco, Texas, James Aaron Thompson of Waco, Texas and Garrett Dee Thompson of Abbott, Texas. His sisters include Dorothy Mae Carter, of Hillsboro, Texas; Enna Juanita Thompson Holgerson, and husband, Oscar John Holgerson of Clifton, Texas, Betty Jo Hughes Harris of Hillsboro, Texas and Mary Evelyn Hughes Brown of Hernando, Mississippi. His brothers include Billy Dale Thompson and wife, Yvonne Elizabeth Thompson of Red Oak, Texas, James Robert Hughes of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and John Derrell Hughes Jr., of Hillsboro, Texas. Seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive him. The pallbearers will be George’s six grandchildren. The honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Mike Reis, Dr. Bruce Cresson, Billy Davis, Roy Lipe, Calvin Bell, Lonnie Richardson, Oscar Holgerson, Livy Etter, Larry Willenborg and Lee Moore. Memorials may be made to the Wesley Woods Alzheimer Care Center in Waco, or the building fund for Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. 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