Ray Fern Thompson, 87, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away on February 26, 2024, with the company of his beloved family. He was born on September 6, 1936, in a tar paper shack in Alamo, Texas, to Vernon B. Thompson and Erma Cummings Thompson. Born premature and underweight, his father's family kept him in a dresser drawer for warmth, as the only incubator in the area was in use at the time. He married Lynda Yokom Thompson on May 28, 1964, at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Houston.

Ray graduated from Pharr San Juan Alamo High School. From the time that he was able to, Ray had a job. Those included, but are certainly not limited to, the following: juke box repairman, cotton picker, cotton gin operator, siding installer, and construction helper. Ray enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1958 to 1962, earning an honorable discharge.

In 1954, Ray was admitted to Pan American College (now University of Texas at Edinburg). Because he was working, enlisting in the Army, and attending school part time, he did not complete college until 1962, when he graduated with a degree in accounting. And, as the story goes, with the last $25 he had, Ray decided to move to Houston to find his luck with a job. He moved in with a friend and quickly found work in the accounting department at Marathon Oil Company.

While working for Marathon Oil, Ray met Lynda Yokom. They spent dates at the movies and watching the Houston baseball team. They married in 1964, and later, they had two children, Lou and Mark. Ray's career did not end in the accounting department at Marathon Oil. He took a job with Westex Corporation, which later became Tech-Sym Corporation. Ray worked for Tech-Sym until his retirement, becoming the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President.

Lynda and Ray retired to Kerrville, TX, where they made their home for the last 25 years. Ray enjoyed tennis at Riverhill Country Club, he loved working on his farm, and most of all, he enjoyed the time he spent with his family.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 59 years, Lynda Yokom Thompson; his parents, Erma and Vernon Thompson; and his brother, Vern Dean Thompson.

His survivors include his brother, Gale Oren Thompson; his sister, Ann Kay Thompson Sumers; his daughter, Lou Thompson Black and her husband, John Milton Black; his son, Mark Vernon Thompson and his wife, Lisa Abell Thompson; and his beloved granddaughters, Asher Elizabeth Thompson, Catherine Jane Thompson and Lily Collier Black, as well as nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

A memorial and burial service was held at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Kerrville, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ray F. Thompson Endowed Scholarship at Texas Christian University.