Reprint from the Progress Times - June 15, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Ag Leader Tommy Thompson Dies Unexpectedly

Long-time citrus and vegetable industry leader Thomas (Tommy) Harry Thompson died Wednesday evening at Mission Regional Medical Center. He would have been 57 years old yesterday, June 14.

The family reports that he apparently died of complications from knee surgery. After recent knee surgery, he seemed to be recovering well when he began feeling ill Wednesday evening. The doctor informed the family that a blood clot had reached his lungs.

Thompson, the owner of Tommy Thompson Farms, was a grower of citrus and vegetables in the Mission area, continuing a family tradition passed down by his father Harry Thompson.

"The Thompson family has been a pillar in the citrus industry and Tommy has been very successful carrying on that tradition," said Ray Prewett, president of Texas Citrus Mutual.

As a leader in Valley agriculture Thompson served on various committees working on important industry issues. He served as president of Hidalgo County Irrigation District 6, and as a member of the Texas Valley Citrus Committee, the Citrus Foundation Board, South Texas Onion Committee, South Texas Melon Committee, RGV Grove Care Managers Association and Sustainable Agronomic Educational Association. He also served with the National FFA, Texas Citrus Mutual, Texas Vegetable Association and Texas Citrus Growers League.

Crowned King Citrus at the Texas Citrus Fiesta in 1987, Thompson served on the Texas Citrus Fiesta board of directors for 20 years, and 11 years as an officer. His father was also a King Citrus, as were his uncle, Hubert Thompson, and his cousin, Bill Thompson.

He served as a deacon, choir director and youth music director at Conway Avenue Baptist Church. He was also on the board of Agape Christian School for years. Thompson worked with the Texas State Association of The Gideons International and was an executive board member of the Baptist General Convention

"Tommy was very involved in his church and he was a hard-working man in agriculture," said Dennis Holbrook, owner of South Texas Organics in Mission. "He was a successful farmer, keeping in tune with modern developments and technology. He was always working toward the future."

"He loved the land. He loved agriculture," said Prewett. "The diversity of the crops he was successful at growing was pretty amazing – citrus trees, melons, mixed greens, tomatoes and others."

Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife, Margot Dominguez Thompson of Mission; son, Brandon Thompson of Las Cruces, New Mexico; daughters, Kristen Garcia of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Sara Wilkinson of Portland, Oregon, and Annie Thompson of Mission and Seattle, Washington; a sister, Saralu Lunn of Nashville, Tennessee; a brother Richard Thompson of McAllen; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Vivian Thompson.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home of Mission. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, June 17, at 4 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 1600 Harvey, in McAllen. Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.