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Just before sunrise, while surrounded by his loving family, Reverend Clyde Thompson responded to the call of the Lord by saying “I am,” as he stretched his hands upward and took his last breath on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. Just as meek and humble as he lived, he departed this world. He was born to the late Robert Thompson and Mable Bunton on February 5, 1932. He grew up with four siblings and two first cousins that he referred to as his brother and sister. In his early years he was tenderly nurtured by his loving grandmother, Lula Bunton. Reverend Thompson accepted Christ at an early age while attending Grant Chapel AME Church under the leadership of the late Rev. W.D. Williams. He often laughed and shared with his children about how he and his siblings would try to skip Sunday school; little did he know that the day would come when the Spirit of the Lord would be so great upon him that he would find himself running to church. He attended Austin Public Schools and was well-known at the old L.C. Anderson High School as a superstar football player fondly called “Goldevette.” He graduated in 1951. Upon graduation from high school, he began studying at Austin Business College. While attending college, he was drafted into service for his country and served honorably in the Korean War. When returning from the Korean War, Reverend Thompson began working at the original Night Hawk Restaurant on South Congress Avenue as a cook. One of his special accomplishments was playing a major role in the implementation of the Night Hawk Frozen Food Division. Additionally, he created many of the recipes for the frozen food that remain in grocery stores today. After 47 years of service, he retired from Night Hawk. As a young man, he met and married Mary Louise Clark, the love of his life. They were married for fifty-six and a half years. To this union three daughters were born, Claudia, Ella, and Patricia. Following the death of their niece Susie Clark, Reverend and Mrs. Thompson assumed parental responsibility for their great niece, Frances Clark. Reverend Thompson acknowledged his call to ministry while at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Austin, under the Pastorage of Rev. George V. Clark, and received his Certificate of Ordination on May 13, 1992. After he was ordained, he became the Pastor of Gildon Creek First Baptist Church in Manor, Texas. He later joined True Light Baptist Church, Rev. J. R. Williams, Pastor, where he served as an Associate Minister until his death. He married and counseled innumerable couples and individuals. Numerous young people sought him for guidance and wise counsel. You often found him at the end of the day sitting at the kitchen table studying the word of God. Even in his last days, at his weakest moments, you would find him reading, studying, and preaching the word of God. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, grandparents, and three brothers: Willie Smith, Jr., Frederick Smith, and Eugene Smith. He leaves to cherish his memory, one son, Frank Savannah of Atlanta, GA; four daughters: Claudia Himes-Crayton (Frank), Ella Feaster, Patricia Hosey-Johnson (Edward), and Frances Nell Clark all of Austin; one sister, Ruby Oakman, and one sister-in-law, Wilmer Edwards; two special cousins, Arthur Nell Higgins and Maurice Hawkins; ten grandchildren: Tinisha Thompson , Olivia Himes, Kelsey Himes, Ada Himes, Kenneth Himes II, Whitney Hosey, Shaquera Tomlinson, Denzel Feaster, Isaiah Feaster and Edward Johnson II; three great-grandchildren, Kennedy Himes, Terranee Martin, and Madison Jenkins; three step grandchildren: Frank Crayton, Anthony Crayton, and Ashley Bruce Tagoe; four godchildren: Cherrly Priestley Kimbrough, Tysha Johnson, Lydia Cairo, and Olivia Louise Cairo; and a host of relatives and friends.

Tributes

Rev. Clyde Thompson

February 5, 1932 - October 27, 2015