Charles E. Thompson Jr.

McAllen - Charles E. Thompson Jr. died April 9, 2025, at home in McAllen, from complications of cancer. He was born in Weslaco, Texas in 1931 to Mary F. and Chas. E. Thompson Sr. delivered by Dr. McCalip in the Thompsons' family bedroom, as there was no hospital. Within weeks the Thompsons moved to Edinburg, for Chas. E. Thompson Sr. to serve as a District Judge. Charles grew up in Edinburg. The family was soon joined by his sister, Marilyn.

During high school, Charles enjoyed studying Spanish in summer school at Saltillo, Mexico. He attended Edinburg schools, graduated from T.M.I. in San Antonio, then attended Rice Institute, before graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree and a Master's in Petroleum Engineering at University of Texas. He was first employed by Texaco as a Petroleum Engineer at Houma, LA. From there, he transferred to Mayfair Minerals in McAllen and eventually entered family business with his father. He served a term as President of the RGV Chapter, Texas Society of Professional Engineers.

Charles has been a longtime member of St. John's Episcopal Church, McAllen, where he taught Sunday School, served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden, and in the choir.

Music was always important to Charles. He played French Horn in marching bands, enjoyed and supported Valley Symphony Orchestra, and sang in its Chorale.

In 1955, Charles married Sally Elizabeth Tucker, of Nacogdoches and they made their home in McAllen, TX. Their children are Eloise Thompson Christian, of Austin, and Ingraham Thompson, of Natchez, MS. The family especially enjoyed trail camping in Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. Sally died from a car accident in 1984. Charles is survived by daughter Eloise Thompson Christian, her husband, Ben, and their daughters, Hattie and Eliza; and by son Ingraham Thompson, his wife, Sheila, and their daughters, Bailey and Gillian.

In 2001, Charles married former Edinburg schoolmate Bennie Floyd Walker, who survives him. They have resided in McAllen. Charles has had a loving relationship with Bennie's three children and five grandchildren.

Services will be handled by Kreidler Funeral Home of McAllen, with family visitation at Kreidler's on Tuesday April 15th from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. . The funeral service will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 16th at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2500 N. 10th St., McAllen. Inurnment of cremated remains will be at St. John's columbarium following the funeral service.

For friends seeking a memorial, one of these is suggested: St. John's Episcopal Church; Valley Symphony Orchestra, 4316 N 10th St., McAllen, TX 78504; First Christian Church, 1201 E. Fern Ave., McAllen TX 78501; or Vannie E. Cook Children's Cancer Treatment Center, 101 W. Expressway 83, McAllen, Texas 78503.