Lyle Wayne Thompson

Colonel Lyle W. Thompson, retired U.S. Air Force, passed away early on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at the age of 80 years. He died at home from complications related to Parkinson's disease.

Lyle was born on July 2, 1940, in Russellville, Arkansas, and raised by his parents, R.M. and Eula Dover Thompson in Winnfield, Louisiana.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Louisiana State University, a Master of Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. His military education included Air War College, National Security Master Course; Air Command and Staff College; and Squadron Officer Course.

Col. Thompson served tours of duty with the Air Force in Del Rio, Texas; Rantoul, Illinois; Misawa, Japan; Viet Nam; New Orleans, Louisiana; Austin, Texas; Anchorage, Alaska; Hampton, Virginia; Homestead, Florida; and then back to Austin/ Bergstrom to retire before the base was closed and turned into Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

Col. Thompson was a veteran of the Viet Nam War, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. Some of the military honors he received include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, multiple Meritorious Service Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, and multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor, National Defense Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, multiple Viet Nam service medals, Southwest Asia service medal, and Air Force Overseas Short and Long Tour ribbons. He was also awarded a handful of Air Force Longevity Service award ribbons, Expert Marksmanship ribbon, and an Air Force training ribbon.

After retiring from the Air Force in February 1992, he couldn't stand being retired for too long. He went to work in the administration of Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, TX, and then moved on to manage logistics at Applied Materials in Austin until he was ready to "really" retire.

Lyle is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon Barton Thompson, daughters Allyson Thompson Austin, son-in-law David Austin, and Erika Thompson. He is also survived by his younger sister, Juanita Thompson Vick and brother-in-law Aubrey Vick, Sr. Lyle's grandchildren also survive him: Emilee Taylor Austin, Sarah Mazie Austin and Jesse Dover Thompson.

A celebration of life for Lyle will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 1:00 PM Central Time at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church (Sanctuary), 4000 East US Highway 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.

In lieu of gifts, we welcome tribute donations in Lyle W. Thompson's name to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation. https://plannedgiving.michaeljfox.org/memorials-and-tribute-gifts