Frank Thompson passed away on June 20, 2022, just shy of his 93rd birthday, in Lubbock surrounded by his beloved family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Les and Jessie Thompson, his sons, Kerry Wayne Thompson and Billy Carroll Ragsdale, and his daughter-in-law Janett Thompson. He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 38 years, Sandra Thompson, his son and daughter-in-law Rick and Sue Ann Thompson, his son and daughter-in-law Jack and Judy Marshall, and his daughter and son-in-law Jill and Rob Marr. He has 8 grandchildren and their spouses, Kerry and Bonnie Thompson, Lynsey and Ryan Reber, Maddie and Matt Weaver, Chance Marshall, Claire and Ryan Snyder, Cole Marshall, Ella Marr, and Brooks Broussard. His great grandkids are Rilynn, Ryder, Rhett, Davis, Brooker and Berklee.
Frank was born July 24th, 1929 in Waco, TX. He was raised with his two sisters, Wanda Kuehler and Bob Bevrung, on the family farm. At the age of 12, he went to work for his grandfather, who owned the largest gin in the United States at the time. It was during these formidable years that Frank garnered a love for the cotton industry and, in particular, the ginning aspect.
In 1949, Frank was hired by Brazos Valley Cotton Oil to call on cotton gins throughout Texas. That means that Frank has been calling on Cotton Gins for over 73 years. In 1962, he established the Levelland Vegetable Oil Mill in Levelland, TX, which was later sold to Proctor and Gamble in 1979.
Frank, Rick, Kerry, Lynsey, and Cole all work together at Fiber Brite, a mote facility. He has stated many times how blessed the family was to be able to work together. Through Frank’s relationships with the gin managers of Texas, Fiber Brite has grown to be one of the largest mote processing facilities in the country. He counted the gin managers as his friends, not just his customers.
Frank has been fortunate in his life to not only build a successful “Family” business, but he has also been able to lead a very close family, together with his wife, Sandra. Sandra was his caregiver and rock, and he thanked God daily for her companionship. He loved playing cards, eating homemade ice cream, spending time with family, and of course going to Texas Tech basketball games. Every morning he woke up to have a chat with Our Lord and Savior, and then he went to work as a happy and content man, where he was surrounded by family and friends.
The Gathering with Family will be held on Thursday, June 23rd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Lakeridge Chapel and Memorial Designers Funeral Home.
The services will be held on Friday, June 24th at Lakeridge UMC in the main chapel at 2:00pm.
The family requests that any donations be made in Frank’s name to Lakeridge UMC.
