Thompson, Russell's Obituary
Russell Devon Thompson, "A Leap Year Baby," was born on February 29, 1960, to the late Mr. John D. Thompson and Mrs. Asylee Thompson in Chicago, Illinois.
He accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at a very young age, and his Christian faith was strengthened throughout his life.
Russell attended elementary and high school in Gloster, Mississippi. As a high school athlete, he excelled on the football team as a defensive end and on the track team as a distance runner; however, Russell was most accomplished in his pursuit of academics.
In 1977, Russell relocated to Dallas, Texas, to reside with his older brother, Anthony Thompson. He moved to Dallas to avoid a potential delay in his 1978 graduation date after learning of a planned NAACP protest and boycott against local resistance to a federal court desegregation order that had segregated the schools in Amite County, Mississippi, by sex. He ultimately graduated as the Valedictorian from James Madison High School in Dallas in 1978.
Russell was focused on achieving his dream of becoming an Electrical Engineer. He received an academic scholarship to Prairie View A&M University, where he majored in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Prairie View A&M University in 1982. During his studies, he was offered opportunities to intern at major electrical engineering facilities across the United States. He chose to intern at Hewlett-Packard in California, near relatives, to build stronger family bonds.
In 1982, Russell began his professional career with Oncor, the largest energy delivery company in Texas, as an Electrical Engineer. While working at Oncor in Dallas, he met his future wife, Vicky Porter. Russell and Vicky were married on May 9, 1985. They contributed the success of over 40 years of Holy Matrimony to their faith in God, along with their love and respect for each other.
Russell retired from Oncor in June 2025 after providing over 43 years of dedicated and outstanding service. During his career, he also delivered professional engineering lectures to fellow engineers and to engineering students at Texas A&M.
Russell was very generous and faithful in spreading the love and wisdom of God to everyone, especially family and friends. He fought a good fight; he kept the faith, and on July 20, 2025, after a serious illness; he finished his race. To God be the Glory!
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Asylee Thompson; his father- and mother-in-law, John and Billie Porter and three brothers, Jerry, Donald, and Anthony Thompson. Russell leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Vicky Thompson; one brother, Paul Thompson; six sisters: Willoneal Martin, Georgia Craig, Sheeree (Elston) Samuels, Gwendolyn (Billy) Williams, Towanna (Donald) Haynes, and Jawanna Thompson; one sister-in-law, Quen (Miguel) Wright; two brother-in-laws, Johnny and Jason Porter; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
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