Virgil Lee Thompson III

Virgil Lee Thompson III, 43, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on March 22, 2026.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Hillside Christian Church, 6100 S. Soncy Rd, Amarillo, Texas. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers, Amarillo, Texas.

Lee was born on June 5, 1982, in Amarillo, Texas. He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother Marie Joiner; grandparents, Virgil Lee Thompson Sr., Corina F. Thompson, and Juanita Ramos.

He is survived by his loving family: grandfather Eloy Ramos of Amarillo; parents, Virgil Thompson Jr. and Tammy Thompson of Amarillo; his children, Nathaniel Thompson and daughters Leighandra, Aleigha, and KaLeeya Thompson, all of Amarillo; sister Krystal Silva and husband Marcos Silva, along with their children Elizabeth, Isabella, and Alexander Silva of San Antonio; brother Brandon Thompson and wife Lindsey, along with their children Brooklyn, Bronx, and Bailey of Amarillo; and brother Charles Thompson of Los Angeles, California. He also leaves behind numerous cousins and extended family across Amarillo, San Antonio, and the San Marcos area.

Lee spent many of his younger years with his grandmother Corina and grandfather Virgil Sr., affectionately known as “Nina” and “Tata,” whom he loved deeply. He cherished time with his Uncles Walter and William, his Aunt Cathy, and especially his Aunt Sharon, who brought him great pride and joy.

Lee was known for his love of laughter, excitement, and living life to the fullest. From a young age, he took pride in doing everything he could for his family. He graduated from Caprock High School in 2000. Becoming a father was one of his greatest accomplishments, as he would proudly say, “Daddy sure makes some purty babies.”

Later in life, Lee joined the plumber’s union and earned his journeyman plumber’s license on June 26, 2018. He was known for his strong work ethic, precision, and professionalism. He took pride in being dependable—when a job needed to be done, people knew who to call. His hard work earned him the nickname “BEAST” both on job sites and in the gym. He truly enjoyed his time working with Howards Mechanical.

Outside of work, Lee loved spending time with his closest friends Marcos Silva, Larry Jimenez, Daniel Salas, and John Hernandez. If he wasn’t with his friends, he was with his family—the people he loved most. He had a gift for making people laugh and was determined to bring a smile to anyone around him, no matter what it took.

Lee loved attending church and hanging out with his children, fishing, watching his brother’s BombCity Football team, Bar B Ques, and cheering on them Dallas Cowboys. He was known for his big bear hugs and his signature question, “Who loves you?”—and he wouldn’t let go until you answered.

Above all, Lee believed in spending as much time as possible with his family. He was the heart of his family—the rock, the protector, and the one who kept everyone smiling. Those who knew him will always remember his humor, his strength, and his love.

Lee left this world as a true hero, putting his life on the line for his family. His legacy of love, laughter, and sacrifice will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew him.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13 (NIV)