Wacoan Hank Thompson

 Hank Thompson has retired from singing. Hank is 82 years old and a native Wacoan. My mother, Marie Ellison Head, and her sisters, Lillian Ellison Johnson and Nadine Ellison Pack Kisner, used to tell me about attending  the old Waco High School with Hank in the 1940's. They fondly remembered him sitting on the front steps of the grand old building, strumming his guitar and holding a crowd spellbound with his singing, or rushing down the hall to class with his guitar slung over his shoulder.

 As in the case of Elvis Presley, Hank Thompson's talent was recognized early, and his classmates knew he would be a famous singer one day. Marie and her sisters were happy when Hank made the big time, as they thought a lot of him and considered him a friend and really nice guy. 

Hank was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989. He had 29 hits that reached the Top Ten on the country music charts between 1948 and 1974. In 1952, Hank Thompson had the No. 1 album, "The Wild Side of Life". His songs I remember best are the number one hits, "Humpty Dumpty Heart" and "Six Pack To Go". I thought his songs were some of the most "danceable". Hank was one of my favorite country singers, though I never had the pleasure of seeing him in person.

His last performance was on October 8th, 2007----- fittingly enough at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo in Waco, Texas, Hank's hometown ----where it all began, those many years ago. Texas Governor Rick Perry and Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy declared October 8th, 2007,  Hank Thompson Day,  in honor of Hank's Waco roots.

Hank had just been released from the hospital when it was announced he was retiring from singing,  as a result of a health issue, and was recuperating at his home in Fort Worth.  My mother, Marie, died in 1994. Aunt Lillian died in 1981. Aunt Nadine-- also born in 1925 like Hank--died in 1997. For their old memories,  my thoughts and prayers are with you, Hank, and I ask the Lord to bless and keep you.  

UPDATE:   Hank died Tuesday, November 6th, 2007, peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and family. Hank had been battling aggressive lung cancer and was conscious until the last few hours of his life. A celebration of his life will be held at the famous Fort Worth honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas, on November 14th, 2007. Another country music great also passed away recently---Porter Waggoner, who launched the career of  the fabulous Dolly Parton.