David "Bruce" Thompson

David Bruce Thompson—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, innovator, and friend—passed away on November 22, 2025. Born to Clara Louise and Robert Thompson of Hartley, Texas on April 21, 1942, Bruce grew up in a tight-knit community, which instilled in him the values of hard work, faith, and service that characterized his remarkable life.

After graduating as the salutatorian of Hartley High School, Bruce attended West Texas State College in Canyon, Texas, where he started his career as an entrepreneur with an automobile shop, made lifelong friends, drove a really cool Thunderbird, played basketball, and, most importantly, met the love of his life, Verena.

Over 63 years of marriage, Bruce and Verena created a loving, enduring partnership and delighted in all aspects of raising their four children, from farm work to family ski trips. Bruce shared his passions for aviation, entrepreneurship, basketball, philanthropy, team roping, tennis, scuba diving, snow skiing, two stepping, spreading Christmas cheer, and making the world’s best pancakes with his children and, later, with his grandchildren.

Bruce excelled at everything he put his mind to. He built Thompson Agriplex into a full-service agricultural enterprise. After a brief retirement, at the age of 66, Bruce created the award-winning, industry-disrupting SandX. As an entrepreneur, Bruce was best known for drafting innovative solutions on napkins, championing good ideas from every team member, and generously sharing his success with his community. In 2023, in recognition of a lifetime of achievement, West Texas A&M University awarded Bruce an honorary Doctorate of Engineering and named him a Distinguished Alumni.

Bruce touched the lives of countless people across the world by sharing his love for God and encouraging others to embrace the power and beauty of forgiveness. Bruce left a legacy of kindness, generosity, and faith, which all who knew him will carry on.

Bruce was known for his quick sense of humor, his steadfast commitment to seeing the best in everyone, his storytelling, his patriotism, his leadership and level-headed counsel, his creativity, and the absolute joy he took in living each day to its very fullest.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Clara Louise and Robert Thompson, and his brothers, Robert (Bobby) Thompson and Allen Thompson.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Verena; his children, John David Thompson of Hartley, JoHannah Willard of Fort Worth, Melanie and Jerry Don Thompson of Amarillo, and JuLee Thompson of Bluff Dale, Texas; his grandchildren Ridglea Willard, Jet Willard, Avery Thompson, Will Thompson, James Thompson, and Suzannah Jo Thompson; his brother Sam Thompson; and his sisters-in-law, Barbara Thompson, Diane Thompson, and Jeanne Thompson.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Hartley Christian Fellowship Church. To view the livestream of the service, please visit Hartley Christian Fellowship Church | Hartley TX | Facebook. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Bruce’s favorite charities, including the Diabetes Foundation of the High Plains (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fdfhp.org&c=E,1,B9BaJhm3XxkUaUXZpDk5xHYOUJRlo35ArP0fO1U--sAU68mI8MpPu-9ZAE5aHY8oO5rvx2FcmCGDO9c8kzhSwY_2Ccm994HAULonoUPkGzRSzSC2diA,&typo=1) and Forward Training Center of Hood County (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fforwardtrainingcenter.com&c=E,1,3_-kIeyJxYF3tks3EXgzPhbxi2mrQyfx9Al2cNSfRb_5rzQ113RIVgynggXgEI-eFEuBHQCS2WV6fHuZ1Scu6vyuIPTVZTpFGS63FTd0CUzD7FU26Vxmlw,,&typo=1). Alternatively, donations may be made to the Hartley Cemetery (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fhartleycemetery.com&c=E,1,9h-gd46bnLtDQ6ul1HaxfZfbVPt1GwB-1EKPpR6vr7l8GXrCNm7aSjePnKBc0maz-K5vKKYNenCpFA5EkJNT-A58TE3y--ZDyHE7byNrPoU,&typo=1).