Jackie Ray Thompson 1946-2024

Pastor Jackie Ray Thompson passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at age 77. Bro. Ray, as he was affectionately called, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, pastor, educator and friend.

Ray was born on Oct. 9, 1946 to Jack and Vera Mae Gray Thompson in Mineola. He accepted Jesus as his Savior in Sand Springs Baptist Church at age 11, under the preaching of Bro. Jack Burgess.

Ray graduated from Quitman High School in 1965. In July that summer, he felt the Lord calling him into the ministry and was ordained by Sand Springs Baptist Church.

Ray married Maeva Poole on March 25, 1972, and they were married for 52 years. Other dear family members left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Melady Thompson of Gilmer; his son, James Paul and his wife Meagan of Gilmer; and three granddaughters whom he adored, Molly, Kara and Anna Thompson. Other family members surviving Ray in death are his brother, Jimmy Thompson and wife Mary of Golden; his sister, Rosa Davis and husband Ronnie of Mineola; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Vera Mae Gray Thompson; and a dear nephew, Jamie Thompson.

For 59 years he served pastorates at Coldwater Baptist Church, Winnsboro; Calvary Baptist Church, Gilmer; Enon Baptist Church, Gilmer; and Forest Hill Baptist Church, Quitman. Bro. Ray embraced servant leadership, sharing in special life moments with these church families for over five decades.

He served as president of the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas and in many other leadership roles, including the board of trustees of Jacksonville College. In 2021 he received a certificate of resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of Texas honoring his service in ministry.

Ray also carried this servant’s heart into his career and ministry within the field of education. As a student, he earned an associate of arts degree from Jacksonville College; a bachelor of arts from East Texas Baptist College, Marshall; a master of divinity from Baptist Missionary Theological Seminary, Jacksonville; a master of education from East Texas State University; and earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. He taught in and served as superintendent of public schools for 26 years and worked for the Texas Education Agency. He served as an instructor and administrator at LeTourneau University. At the time of his passing, he was a professor of education at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he had led the Superintendent Certification Program, mentored doctoral students and chaired their doctoral dissertations. He received the CLASS Award from the university in 2020 for excellence in the academic performance of his students. His servant’s heart was most evident in his devotion to his students and their success. 

The funeral service for Pastor Ray Thompson was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Enon Baptist Church. The ministers officiating were Michael Pool, Fred Morrow and Alan Metzel. Interment followed at Grice Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at McWhorter Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Jeffrey Pool, Joe Pool, Eli Nivison, Levi Thompson, Jed Whittaker, Jim Cross, Dr. Bill Daniels and Eddie Elms.

Honorary pallbearers were the men of Forest Hill Baptist Church. 

The Lord accomplished his plan and purpose for Bro. Ray’s life on Saturday evening. “Faithfull is He that called you, who also will do it.”                    I Thessalonians 5:24

The family wishes to thank the medical team of Longview Regional Medical Center for their compassionate care of their husband and father on Saturday evening.

Please visit Bro. Ray’s online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.