SHANNON THOMPSON

Shannon Reau Thompson, 69, passed away September 17, 2022, in Katy, Texas. He was born January 5, 1953, the oldest of Ollie, Jr. and Josie Helen Thompson’s six children.

Shannon began his journey of personal faith in God along the Judeo-Christian path as a teenager. He was a 1971 Columbus High School graduate and was an active student athlete. Shannon was active in FFA, played football and ran track. During his senior year, he placed a high school record time in the 880m track event and placed second in the state AAA division.

Thanks to a football scholarship, Shannon earned his Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas at El Paso. He lived on the East Coast of the United States for over 40 years and had successful careers as a bank examiner, and later as a contract manager/arbitrator at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

Shannon married his childhood friend and high school schoolmate Sandra Kaye Burford February 28, 1977. This union brough Shannon’s beloved daughter, Ebony Nichole, known to family and friends as “Nikki,” into his life, and the young family moved to Pennsylvania.

Sadly, the union was broken on New Year’s Day 1979, when Kaye and the couple’s unborn child died due to preterm pregnancy complications. He went on to marry Marilyn

Huffman Thompson, who raised Nikki as her own with Shannon. During his time in the Washington, DC area, Shannon met Veronica Reed. He and Veronica welcomed a son, Austin Christopher Reed, on February 24, 1998. Austin was held in high regard by his father.

Shannon will be remembered for his zest for life. His passion for running continued during his adult years, and he participated in numerous marathons and cross-country bicycling competitions, including the MS150. His father once said, “Shannon was a runner, even as a little boy. It was hard to keep up with him!”

Shannon participated in the historic Million Man March in Washington, DC in 1995.

He had a palate for fine wines, enjoyed art and museums, and had a great sense of humor. Shannon had a listening ear, generous heart, a counselor’s spirt, and greatly enjoyed traveling. His contagious smile and lighthearted personality are etched in the memorial of all who knew and loved him.

During his time living in Baltimore, Maryland, area, Shannon served on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. After relocating to Texas in the mid-2000s, Shannon served as a Trustee on the church board of Columbus First Church of the Nazarene.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Kaye, and unborn child; parents, Ollie and Josie Thompson; mother and father- in-law, Eddie Beatrice Urps Burford and James Hanson Burford; paternal grandparents, Ollie, Sr., and Princetta Thompson; maternal grandparents, Ollie Nelson and Carlos Johnson; brother, Douglas O. Thompson; close cousin, Garland Nelson, Jr.; and nephew, Lloyd Mitchell II.

Left to remember Shannon fondly are his daughter, Nikki Thompson (Dr. Michael Cottledge) of Houston, Texas; son, Austin Reed of New Orleans, Louisianna; former wife, Marilyn Thompson; sisters, Helena Martin of Rosenberg, Texas, Deborah Mitchell, of Columbus, Texas, Pamela Thompson, of Columbus, Texas, and Marilyn Davis (William) of Houston, Texas; brothers, John Henry Thompson (Agnes) of Liberty, Texas, and Rev. Michael E. Thompson (Cynthia Robin) of Katy, Texas; a beloved 98-year-old cousin, Mrs. Viney M Alley of Columbus, Texas; and a large host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends who will also miss Shannon dearly.