Dr. John S. Thompson, Jr., 80, passed away at home in Kingsville, Texas on June 11, 2024. John was born in Alvin, Texas on July 10, 1943, to John S. Thompson and Trinity Dalbosco Thompson.
John's interest in all-things chemistry set him on his lifetime path early on, with many experiments at home often with startling, if not hilarious results. He graduated from Alvin High School as 1961 class valedictorian. His senior year of high school he applied and was accepted to the University of Texas, receiving a generous grant from Dow Chemical. John did not shy away from hard work. To earn money for college, he worked the summer after graduation for a lease company cutting grass and brush along ditches in the oilfield; all done by hand, no machinery.
The fall after high school graduation, John began his higher education at the University of Texas at Austin. Through hard work and dedication, John obtained his Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree and then Doctorate of Chemistry.
In 1970, at the ripe age of 27, John made his home in Kingsville, Texas when he began his teaching career with Texas A&I University, which became a member of the Texas A&M University System in 1989 and changed its name to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). John retired in 2005 after 35 years of service to the students of Texas A&I and A&M University.
On March 11, 1989 John was married to Kathleen Marie Hinojosa after becoming reacquainted with her several years after she was a student in his class.
John was preceded in death by his parents, wife Kathleen Marie Thompson, brother David, sister Annie Mae Alex and brother-in-law William "Bill" Alex.
He leaves behind his sister Myrtle Alexander and brother-in-law Milton Alexander. Loved by them as their Uncle Butch, he also leaves behind nephews Sam Alex (Peggy), Hank Alex (Cindy) and Nolan Alexander as well as nieces Leslie Lee, Billie Ann Loep (Jack) and Jennifer Alexander.
Also cherishing his memory, are his cousins who loved him like a brother, Johnny Morris, Claude "Junior" Morris (Jean), Robert Morris, Joe Morris and Shirley Smith.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home, Kingsville, Texas. Visitation will begin at 1:00p.m., with the celebration of life to begin immediately after at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Benavides Cemetery, Benavides, Texas.
Honorary pall bearers include Milton Alexander, Sam Alex, Hank Alex, Nolan Alexander, Johnny Morris, Claude "Junior" Morris, Robert Morris, Joe Morris and Jack Loep.
Thank you to the family and friends who have been sharing their stories and memories of John "Uncle Butch" with us over these past several weeks.
Special mention to the current and retired staff of the TAMUK Chemistry Department as well as "Lydia's Retirement Coffee Club" whose company John enjoyed so much when he was able.

Thank you also to Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home for their care and guidance.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a scholarship fund established at the time of John's retirement "TAMUK John S. Thompson account #460543" and mailed to Mauro Castro, Department of Chemistry, MSC 161, 920 W. Santa Gertrudis Ave., Kingsville, Texas 78363; or to the charity of your choice.