Ray Thompson

Services for Billy Ray Thompson, 69, of Tyler, will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating. Ray passed away Saturday, November 5, 2016 at his home surrounded by friends and family. He was born February 9, 1947 in Monticello, Arkansas to the late Billy Dale and Virginia Nell Lytle Thompson. He attended Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969, where he was elected President of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He received his Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University in 1974. He was a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He recently retired from his position as President of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. Ray met Marilyn Marie Miller in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 1967. They were married in Vicksburg, Mississippi on November 28, 1969. Together they lived in adventurous cities such as Austin, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Ray’s career in hospital administration began at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. From there they moved to Zachary, Louisiana where Ray served as Vice President of Lane Memorial Hospital. In 1976 they officially became Texans when Ray took the position of Senior Vice President at Hermann Hospital in Houston. On Halloween night in 1978, Ray and Marilyn welcomed their first son, Eric to the world. Two and half years later, in July of 1981, they were blessed with the arrival of their second son, Brian. When Brian was only three months old, Ray and Marilyn made the decision to move to Tyler, Texas. Ray joined Mother Frances Hospital in October, 1981. He partnered in restoring the organizational health of Mother Frances Hospital by creating the first cardiovascular program in East Texas. This program, along with the construction of the Dawson tower, was the impetus toward building a regional system of healthcare excellence. Soon thereafter, Mother Frances Hospital was recognized as Texas Business of the Year. Under Ray’s leadership, the organization has been nationally recognized for patient safety, clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and great patient experience. In 1995, Ray helped create the partnership with the physicians of Trinity Clinic. Ray was a founding system executive of the Trinity Mother Frances Health System. Additionally, Ray was instrumental in the decision to merge with CHRISTUS Health. Ray created Trinity Mother Frances Health System’s network of regional clinics, established an expansive emergency medicine program, and created one of the nation’s model sports medicine programs. He was an advocate for implementing robotic surgery, the FamilyCare Center, ConnectCare (EPIC), and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. His efforts led to the creation of the Ornelas Tower, regional health parks, the South Tyler Community Health Hospital, and many other facilities in East Texas. Ray has been an active supporter of many professional and community organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, and Hospice of East Texas. Ray was a leader in building new athletic facilities for both Robert E. Lee and John Tyler high schools. Ray leaves us with a wonderful example of how to lead a balanced life. He worked tirelessly and ferociously throughout his forty plus year career. He was a fiercely devoted and loving husband and father. Marilyn was the most important thing in his life and through their forty-seven years of marriage, they laughed together every single day. He loved to travel, especially to the Gulf Coast and the Florida Keys, though no place was more of a sanctuary to Ray and Marilyn than their Riverland property in St. Joseph, Louisiana. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He took hunting trips all over the world. He had a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. For thirty years he was passionate about cycling. His workout routines were legendary. He found joy in his hours and hours of putting his boys through his thoroughly researched cutting edge (and occasionally bizarre) sports training routines. He was rarely happier than he was when he was able to watch his sons compete on the field or court. The rough and tough man that we all know and love would melt every time he was near his three grandchildren. Ray and Marilyn have raised and adored and spoiled their seven Dobermans over the years. Ray is survived and remembered by his loving family, including his wife Marilyn of Tyler; his son Eric and his wife Elyse of Denver, CO; his son Brian and his wife Erin of Tyler; his three grandchildren Chase, Reid, and Miller; and his aunt Laverne Quimby and cousin Kerry Hackney of Monticello, Arkansas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation at 800 E. Dawson, Tyler, Texas 75701, the Hospice of East Texas at 4111 University Boulevard, Tyler, Texas 75701, or the charity of your choice. Ray left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. He had a big personality and an even bigger heart. He will be greatly missed.

Ray Thompson

February 9, 1947 - November 5, 2016