codythompsonmemorial@gmail.com 979-541-7248
Cody Thompson
Memorial

Altair & Garwood, Texas

In Memory of Cody Wayne Thompson

In Cody's memory. For the students coming up behind him.

The Cody Thompson Memorial hosts an annual charity golf tournament. Every year the proceeds fund scholarships for graduating seniors across Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Lavaca and Wharton Counties, and stand behind families who unexpectedly lose a provider.

The Tournament Give to the Memorial
$156,000Awarded since 2022
42Students supported
$40,000Awarded in 2026
5Texas counties served

Next tournament: Saturday, April 17, 2027. The scholarship application goes live December 15.

Scholarship details →
Thank you to all for prayers, donations, and help. We could not do this without you.
The Thompson Family

The Tournament

7th Annual Tournament: Saturday, April 17, 2027

Back at Eagle Lake Golf Course in Eagle Lake, Texas. Save the date. Sign-up details will be posted here and on Facebook as they firm up.

The 6th Annual was held Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the same course: a full day of golf, food, and fellowship, with scholarship winners honored at noon.

How the day runs

Based on the 2026 schedule. Times for 2027 will be confirmed closer to the date.

  1. Morning tee time
  2. Silent auction
  3. Lunch: pulled pork sandwiches, $10 a plate
  4. CT Scholarship winners announced
  5. Afternoon tee time
  6. Left, Right, Center tournament. Winnings split 50/50, buy-in at $3, $15, or $60, higher pots if there is demand
  7. 50/50 ball drop, weather permitting
  8. Silent auction concludes

Who to call

Golf & Lunch

Shelly Thompson

979-758-4857

Raffle

Chriss Schurring

979-758-4933

Silent Auction

Cynthia Boenisch

979-758-4529

Scholarship

Stephanie Strack

979-637-0211

CT Memorial Scholarship

Scholarships for seniors with their whole lives ahead of them

Established in 2022 in honor of Cody's life and the character he showed while he was here. Since then the memorial has awarded $156,000 to 42 students, including $40,000 in 2026.

Cody completed his studies at Wharton County Junior College, graduated with an Electronics Engineering Technology degree, and pursued his dream of becoming an aerial applicator. His work ethic and grit are why priority goes to students heading into a technical school or certification program, with weight given to agriculture, sports involvement, faith, volunteering, and the work ethic they kept up through high school.

Who can apply

  • Graduating seniors from Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Lavaca and Wharton Counties, Texas, continuing on through a technical school, certification program, college, or university. Seniors in homeschool groups are welcome to apply.
  • Complete the online application.
  • Submit one letter of reference with the application.
  • Submit high school and/or college transcripts with the application.

Dates and how it works

  • The 2027 application goes live on this page December 15.
  • Applications open online January 1 each year.
  • The application closes at midnight on the second Friday in March. For the 2026 cycle that was March 13, 2026.
  • Applications are accepted online only. Nothing by mail.
  • The award covers one year with the potential to be renewed, as determined by the Selection Committee, and may be used for tuition, fees, room and board, and books.
  • Winners are notified ahead of time and presented with their scholarships at noon at the annual golf tournament, in front of the whole community.

Apply online

The application link goes live December 15. Until then, questions go to Stephanie Strack at 979-637-0211.

Teachers, counselors, and homeschool leaders: please share this with your seniors. Questions go to Stephanie Strack at 979-637-0211, or by mail to CT Memorial Scholarship, 1379 CR 408, El Campo, TX 77437.

Cody's Story

The man behind the memorial

Cody Wayne Thompson was born on July 26, 1982 to Mike and Denise Thompson, the little brother of Stephanie Thompson Strack. He grew up in Altair, Marlin, and Lewis, Kansas, and set down his roots in Garwood, Texas. He married Shelley on February 17, 2007, and together they were blessed with three girls: Faith, Ria and Brynn.

Flying was in Cody's blood from the time he was a baby. He grew up watching his dad, his grandpa and several uncles in the air, and he lost his life doing what he loved to do: flying.

The community rallied around Shelley and the girls, and the inaugural Cody Thompson Memorial Benefit was held on January 11, 2020. What began as a way to carry one family through the hardest season of their lives grew into something bigger: a yearly gathering in Cody's honor that awards scholarships to deserving students and stands ready to help wives and families who are unexpectedly put in the same position.

It has been amazing seeing all of the support that our community, near and far, have already given me and the girls, and I want you to know that we appreciate it beyond measure. THANK YOU will never be enough. With love, Shelley and the girls

Ways to Help

Four ways to be part of it

Every dollar and every foursome moves the same mission forward: scholarships for local seniors and a hand for families who need one.

Play in the tournament

Round up your foursome for the next tournament. Golf and lunch questions go to Shelly Thompson.

Call 979-758-4857

Give to the memorial

Donations are accepted year round through PayPal or Venmo, both at @codythompsonmemorial, and go toward scholarships and family support.

Donate via PayPal Donate via Venmo

Donate an auction or raffle item

The silent auction and raffle raise a big share of the day's proceeds. Raffle items go to Chriss Schurring.

Call 979-758-4933

Share the scholarship

Know a graduating senior in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Lavaca or Wharton County? Point them to the application.

Scholarship form

Common Questions

Answers, straight up

If yours is not here, call 979-541-7248 or email codythompsonmemorial@gmail.com.

When is the Cody Thompson Memorial golf tournament?

The 7th Annual Cody Thompson Memorial Charity Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, April 17, 2027 at Eagle Lake Golf Course in Eagle Lake, Texas. Sign-up details will be posted here and on the memorial's Facebook page. The 6th Annual was held at the same course on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with 8 AM and 1 PM tee times.

Who can apply for the CT Memorial Scholarship?

Graduating seniors completing their coursework in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Lavaca and Wharton Counties, Texas, who will continue their education through a technical school, certification program, college, or university. Seniors in homeschool groups are welcome to apply. Priority goes to students pursuing a technical school or certification program, with emphasis on agriculture, sports involvement, faith, volunteering, and work ethic maintained during high school.

When do scholarship applications open and close?

Applications open January 1 each year and close at midnight on the second Friday in March. For the 2026 cycle the deadline was March 13, 2026, and winners were recognized at the golf tournament on April 18, 2026. Applications are accepted online only.

What do I need to submit with the application?

The completed online application, one letter of reference, and your high school and/or college transcripts.

How much is the scholarship and can it be renewed?

The scholarship runs for one year with the potential to be renewed, as determined by the Selection Committee. It may be used for conventional academic purposes such as tuition, fees, room and board, and books. Since the scholarship was established in 2022, the memorial has awarded $156,000 to 42 students, including $40,000 in 2026.

How can I give to the Cody Thompson Memorial?

Donations are accepted year round through PayPal or Venmo, both at @codythompsonmemorial. To donate a raffle or silent auction item, or to ask about other ways to give, call 979-541-7248 or email codythompsonmemorial@gmail.com.

What does the Cody Thompson Memorial support?

The memorial was established in memory of Cody Thompson. It awards scholarships to deserving graduating seniors and stands ready to help wives and families who unexpectedly lose a provider.

Contact

Reach out. A real person answers.

Whether you want to play, give, donate an auction item, or ask about the scholarship, the folks below will point you in the right direction. Thank you for your support.

General & donations

Cuatro Strack

979-541-7248
codythompsonmemorial@gmail.com

Scholarship

Stephanie Strack

979-637-0211

Mail

CT Memorial Scholarship

1379 CR 408
El Campo, TX 77437

Follow along

Facebook

facebook.com/codythompsonmemorial