Texas Tech University

Thompson Family of Abernathy Endowed Scholarship

The Thompson Family of Abernathy Scholarship Endowment was established in 1998 by the Joe Thompson Family of Abernathy, Texas to support students doing research at the Texas Tech Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute.

J. Pete Thompson passed away May 11, 2014. He was the seventh son of Guy and Oma (Cottongame) Thompson Sr., born Jan. 3, 1922, in Leonard, Texas. In the fall of 1922, the family moved to Abernathy, Texas, where Pete attended Abernathy schools and graduated from High School in 1940. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1949. He also served in the United States Army Air Corp and was in World War II attaining the rank of Captain from 1941 to 1945.

His careers included: farming, Southwestern public service from 1949 to 1952, soil conservation, cotton broker, Thompson Cotton Company and Thompson Operating Company (Oil and Gas). Pete was the Mayor of Abernathy from 1973 to 1991, Man of the Year of Abernathy in 1988, President and member of the Lions Club and an active member at the First Baptist Church in Abernathy.

He married Rachel Carolyn Dunn on Dec. 18, 1953. They have four children, daughters, Zoe Phillips (James) and R. Kym Radke (Jack); and sons, T. Todd Thompson (Kasey) and B. Lane Thompson (Tracy); nine grandchildren, Jason Hunter (Stephanie), Jill Hunter Overley (Richard), Lauren Radke Leick (Todd), Farren Radke, Carson Radke, Amber Thompson Colberg (Adam), Carter Thompson, Taylor Thompson and Bryce Thompson (Kyle). They also have seven great-grandchildren, Lexi Miles, John Cade Hunter, Eli Overley, Connor Leick, Ryder Leick, Teagan Colberg and Kierstan Colberg.

To support this scholarship, “Give Now” online.

Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Director of Development
806.742.2802

Shelbey Havens
shelbey.havens@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.834.1108