Melinda "Mindy" Thompson

Melinda “Mindy” Thompson, 54, passed away on All Saints Day, November 2, 2015 following an eight-month bout with leukemia. She was born on December 24, 1960 in Austin. Mindy was a 1979 graduate of Reagan High School, where she played tennis. Following graduation, she worked as a church secretary at Walnut Creek Baptist Church while attending The University of Texas. Her late father, Rev. Kenneth Harry Thompson, was pastor of the church for more than 40 years before he passed in April 2014.

Mindy was a dedicated Longhorn, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in radio, television and film in 1984. She worked part-time in Texas Athletics as well, including serving as a statistician in women’s basketball, volleyball and other sports as needed. She received a master’s degree in Kinesiology from UT in 1987.

In 2000, she began working as an administrative associate with Texas Athletics compliance and at the time of her passing, had advanced to the position of executive assistant with the Longhorn Foundation fundraising area. Mindy was a 2008 co-founder, past president and active member of iForty, UT Austin’s Administration Professional Network; also Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) Thankful Hubbard Chapter of Austin, and an associate member of the Eleanor Wilson Chapter in Washington, DC.

In addition to her dedicated work at UT, Mindy ran marathons in nine states, including Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, California, Connecticut, Texas and Washington, DC. Mindy and her mother, Aileen Cook “Cookie” Thompson were well-known to all Longhorn student-athletes, staff, coaches and teams, as they traveled to games and championships dating back to the 1980’s. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her brother, Michael, and uncles Bob and Charles Thompson.

She was a beloved member of the Texas Athletics staff and UT community and will be sorely missed by family, friends, co-workers and church members.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 8, 2015 at Walnut Creek Baptist Church, 12062 N Lamar Blvd, Austin 78753. Interment will follow at Walnut Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for online tributes. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Walnut Creek Baptist Church, P.O. Box 81492 (78708) or Longhorn Foundation.