David Lee Thompson

David Lee Thompson was born on April 13, 1946, in Matador, Texas, to Charlie Manly and Ruby Jane Spears Thompson. If you knew David, you knew him to be an extremely hard worker and servant of others, which was truly his nature from a young age. Growing up in west Texas, he was taught that hard work and service were truly what life was all about. His family owned and operated a cotton gin in Matador, and he and his brother would pick cotton and work the fields as well as help with the turkey farm. As a child, he would even shine shoes at the local barber shop for a nickel. In 1957, they closed the gin and opened Thompson Feed and Seed where David continued to work while also owning a pig farm near town. In 1969, he made the decision to sell the farm and enrolled in Academy for the Texas Department of Public Safety. He served in the Highway Patrol for over 25 years continually putting the needs of Texas citizens above his own. Upon his retirement in 1995, he joined the Dallas County Constable's office where he served for 13 years as a Deputy Constable. In 2011, he decided that an official badge was no longer his calling, however he always found ways to serve including 11 years as a security team member at Highland Park Methodist Church where he took tremendous pride in helping the 'senior' community arrive safely on a Sunday morning. David was always a country boy at heart, so in 1995 he and his wife of 24 years, Penny, established the Lazy T Ranch in Wills Point. He found joy in imparting that cowboy spirit to his grandchildren. Through goats, horses, chickens, bees, bunnies, and countless other endeavors, he not only deepened his relationships with his grandchildren but connected to members of the community and beyond through 4-H and FFA. David's love of God, Country, and Family was something he didn't have to tell you about, it's just who he was. He never met a stranger, wore his overalls proudly to almost any occasion, tipped his hat at every lady he met, carried a real handkerchief, and stood for you, no questions asked, when you needed someone by your side. In the early hours of September 6, his heart could take no more, and he was able to find rest in the arms of his Savior where we have no doubt he heard the words 'well done, my good and faithful servant'. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue in all the lives he touched. David is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his older brother Carl Wayne Thompson. He is survived by his wife, Penny Lou Thompson, his sister Kate Hurt and her husband Tommy of Matador, his sister Loretta Thompson of Lubbock; his daughter Toni Spain and her husband Tom of Frankston, his daughter Charla Thompson of Palestine, his 'bonus' son Michael Bridges and his wife Tonia of Trophy Club, his 'bonus' daughter Carrie Peacock and her husband Jason of Celina, and his 'daughter by choice' Amy Finney and her husband Shaun of New Orleans, Louisiana; his grandchildren Dustin Howard and his wife Savannah of North Richland Hills, Haleigh Spain of Little Elm, Tommy Spain and wife Anna of Princeton; Sarah, Emma and Ava Peacock of Celina, Matthew Bridges of Trophy Club, and Grayson, Cooper and Adelaide Finney of New Orleans. He also had numerous cousins, nieces and nephews all across Texas and Utah. A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 9, from 9:00-11:00 at Eastgate Funeral Home in Garland, Texas, with a graveside service at 11:30 at Restland Cemetery in Dallas. In addition, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 11, at 5:00 at David and Penny's beloved church home, the Kaufman County Cowboy Church, which is located at 5970 TX-243, Kaufman, TX, 75142