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- Austin American-Statesman, March 26, 2011
Emory Chapman Thompson
Emory Chapman Thompson, longtime Austinite, retired businessman, banker and rancher died March 24, 2011. He was born June 19, 1931 in San Antonio, Texas, the only child of Loretta Chapman and Emory Bassett Thompson. The family moved to Austin in 1937. Emory grew up on Bridle Path in Tarrytown where the family had a horse stable in their backyard. As a young boy, Emory rode his horse throughout the neighborhood, often to West Enfield Park to meet friends and have a swim. He attended Wooldridge Elementary, University Junior High and graduated from Austin High School in 1949, where he played tackle for the Maroons. He attended Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Texas his freshman year and then transferred to The University of Texas. While attending The University, Emory was President of Kappa Alpha Order and was company commander of his N.R.O.T.C unit. He graduated in 1954 with a B.B.A. degree and entered The United States Navy as an ensign serving in the Pacific theater on the mine sweeper Swift. He continued his service in the Naval Reserve for 24 years and retired as a Captain. On June 24, 1955, he married the former Jean Powell of Austin. After Emory completed his active naval duty, the couple moved back to Austin and Emory became sales manager for Austin Goodyear Company, a family-owned business located at the corner of First and Congress. He held this position from 1956 until 1974 when the business was sold. He then went into banking with the Capitol National Bank which became Texas Commerce Bank. He retired in 1989 as Executive Vice President. The remainder of his life was spent running his farming and ranching operations, Thompson farms. Emory was active in the community. He continued his affiliation with banking by serving on the Board of Directors of the Cattleman's State Bank and later as an advisory director to American Bank of Commerce. A founding member of the Camp Fire Girls' board, he was the recipient of their Distinguished Service and Halsey Gulick awards. He served as president of both the Young Men's Business League and the Austin Woods and Waters Club. He was on the board of Saint Andrew's Episcopal School and the Junior Achievement Board. He served two terms on the Travis County Grand Jury. A member of the Rotary Club of Austin, Emory was a Paul Harris Fellow and took pride in 44 years of perfect attendance. He was chairman of the McBride Conservation Fund and was a member of the Southwest Cattleman's Association, the Admirals Club, Headliner's Club and the Austin Assembly. Emory loved the outdoors and hunting. He was awarded Sportsman of the Year by the Austin Woods and Waters Club. He hunted all over the world and collected the Grand Slam of North American Sheep, including an award entry in the Boone and Crockett Club. His happiest times were spent at his farm and ranch operations in Ellis and Navarro Counties. His wife, Jean, preceded him in death on December 30, 2001. Members of his immediate family are his son Emory Powell Thompson and his wife Jodie; daughters Ann Thompson Bauer and her husband Meade, and Kate Thompson all of Austin; his grandchildren Taylor Amanda Thompson, Emory Archer Thompson, Louis Thompson Bauer, Martin Chapman Bauer and Wilson Thornton Bauer; and his friend Mary Lou Fitzpatrick. The family would like to thank Emory's caregivers, Micheline Mohingo, Diane Burich, and Malike Hunter as well as his Hospice Austin nurse, Shelley Baker, for their dedication and support. They would also like to thank Marco Quaroni, friend and neighbor, for his loving care of Emory's Labradors, Cactus and "T". A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 28th at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road Austin, Texas. Private burial will be at Austin Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Jim Arnold, Owen Carpenter, Don Dearing, Bob Dennison, Venton Doughtie, Travis Eckert, John Estes, Bill Howard, Clyde Littlefield, Richard Parker, Bobby Shapiro, Conrad Werkenthin, and Sam Wilson. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Hospice Austin (4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78759), The Rotary Club of Austin (304 E. 7th St. Austin, TX 78701) or The McBride Conservation Fund (P.O. Box 80022 Austin, TX 78708) or to a charity of your choice. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com
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