Richard Douglas Thompson

It is with great sadness the family of Richard Douglas (Dickie) Thompson shares the news of his passing on June 13, 2023. He passed away peacefully at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston after a tough, but very valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. His sweet wife, Vickie, of 45 years, was right there by his side when he passed away, helping take care of him as she did for a year and a half.

Richard was born in Brookings, South Dakota to Jim and Virginia Thompson on July 8, 1947, but they moved he and his brother to Austin early on in his life so he could be a true Texan. He was very proud to be from Texas, loved growing up in South Austin, going to Travis Heights Elementary, Fulmore Jr. High and graduating from Wm. B. Travis High in 1966. Richard was an amazing football player for Travis. He was coached by Sonny Meyers, who once said “He is one tough little football player, tough as nails! He would hit anything or anybody of any size.” (Dickie was only 5’4”.) His smaller stature and tough nature also helped Richard win his fair share of gold buckles riding bulls as a young adult. His job moved him to Houston, and he retired from Harris County Hospital District. Then he had several contract jobs before finally retiring in 2015. Houston is where he lived the rest of his life.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Vickie, his brother, Steve, and wife Jane, nephew, Todd Thompson and Julie Harrington, and niece, Tracy Lord, and husband, Mark Lord. Brothers-in-law, Dugan Graddy, and wife Cecelia, Eddie Graddy, and wife Vickie, and Adam Pate, and wife Ali. He also had cousins in South Dakota, Tom and Jean Nicholson and Teri Schmidt. Richard was also very close to his great nieces and nephews that he adored. He loved his family and his two “boys” Little Bit and Troubles.

The family will hold a graveside service at Cook Walden Forest Oaks on Wm. Cannon at Noon on Saturday, July 15, 2023. We will celebrate his life with a Wake at the Thompson home in Oak Hill afterwards.

The family wants to thank Vickie for the countless hours she spent lovingly taking care of Richard and showing us all what true love through “sickness and in health” really means. We are forever grateful!