Edward A. Thompson

Edward Arnold “Bigfoot” Thompson departed this earthly life peacefully in his home in Stafford, Texas on September 19, 2023, at the age of 72. He was born on August 6, 1951 in Galveston, Texas. His mother, Syretha Thompson Hairston, moved to Missouri City after Thompson and his brother, Ernest Hairston, graduated from Lincoln High School in La Marque, Texas. Thompson flourished as a musician, finding his calling in high school as a gifted percussionist.

Thompson’s high school band director recognized his passion for the drums and gifted him with a drum set on the condition that Thompson carry it home, to which he obliged with overjoyed determination. His remarkable use of a foot pedal to create intricate beats on the bass drum earned him the nickname “Bigfoot”. Following high school, Thompson leaned into his passion for music with his brother, Ernest, as the headlining DJs for La Marque’s Front Door Club, hosting some of the music industry’s most high-profile entertainment in an always packed house of admirers. In 1973, Thompson carried his talents into pursuing his military career as a musician for the United States Marine Corps Band where he thrived as a percussionist with an extraordinary run of performances showcased across many countries around the world.

While his military career concluded in the late-1970's, Thompson illuminated Houston’s fashion scene as a fashion coordinator and buyer for The GAP. His momentum, however, dimmed in 1984 following the tragic deaths of his beloved mother and brother. Inspired to transmute grief through charity and his love of music, Thompson called on his family members to form Thompson Family Enterprises Inc., a successful production company that produced concerts for the likes of Reverend James Cleveland, Phyllis Hyman, and James Brown. Thompson used the proceeds to found the Syretha Thompson Hairston – Ernest Hairston Scholarship Fund, changing many lives by awarding scholarships to graduates of his alma mater. He continued to produce shows and bring international talent to his hometown throughout the 1980's and performed with renown artists like Janet Jackson, The Rance Allen Group, Chaka Khan, No Control, The Mambo Jazz Kings, and many more until the early 2010’s. In all, Thompson was regarded as one of the Gulf Coast’s most skilled musicians to have ever graced the stage.

Thompson had his loving family by his side at the time of his death. Thompson was preceded in death by his mother, Syretha Thompson Hairston, brother, Ernest Hairston, and grandparents, Primas and Willie Alma Thompson.

Thompson leaves a legacy of memories, love, and joy to his beloved wife, Edna, with whom he shared 34 wonderful years of marriage. From this union, they had two daughters: Khia and Ashlie; and two grandchildren: Uriah and Ermias. He also leaves to honor his life son, Corban; daughter, Prisha; aunts: Bettye Bruno, Mattye Thompson Reymont, and Jacquelyn Belton; uncle, Samme Thompson; blessed grandchildren; along with numerous other loving relatives and lifelong friends.

Thompson will be entombed in a private ceremony alongside his mother Syretha Thompson Hairston and brother Ernest Hairston. His final wish was to donate the floral arrangements from his celebration to MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25, in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road in Stafford.

A Celebration of Edward’s Life will immediately follow the visitation, also in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, all are invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Edward during a reception in the event room.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.