Tributes poured in Wednesday morning after it was announced that TheBlaze Radio host Michael “Doc” Thompson was tragically killed Tuesday evening. Thompson was jogging in Haltom City, Texas, when he was struck by an Amtrak train, the Star-Telegram reported. Witnesses and the train engineer confirmed he was not on the tracks at the time, but he was close enough for the train to hit him.
MoJo 5.0 mourns the loss of a great friend and mentor, Michael "Doc" Thompson. Rest in peace, brother.#DocThompson #MoJo50Radio #WhatILearnedToday pic.twitter.com/NezsoF2MvR
— The Daily Mojo (@RealDailyMojo) February 6, 2019
Kris Cruz, media producer for the Doc Thompson Show and a close friend of the late host was among the first to receive word of his passing.
Don’t take life for granted.
— Kris Cruz (@realKrisCruz) February 6, 2019
In a couple of hours life can change
— Kris Cruz (@realKrisCruz) February 6, 2019
#RIP Doc Thompson you’ll be missed and I love you brother. #WhatILearnedToday https://t.co/zXeEbYEPCk pic.twitter.com/OmnHGDq9gn
— Kris Cruz (@realKrisCruz) February 6, 2019
You’ll be miss brother. Thank you for your mentorship and believing in me.
You’ll be missed @DocThompsonShow now I have to deal w/@realBradStaggs alone. #WhatILearnedToday pic.twitter.com/gWLmtWhyD1
— Kris Cruz (@realKrisCruz) February 6, 2019
“Doc was the real thing,” Cruz told Faithwire Wednesday morning. “He really cared for people, especially veterans.”
Upon hearing the devastating news, colleagues and members of the media took to Twitter to share their memories of Thompson and pay their respects.
RIP to @DocThompsonShow who tragically and unexpectedly passed away yesterday. Please consider donating to the GoFundMe to defray expenses and support his family. https://t.co/OrWjSeNVMi
— Leon Wolf 🇮🇱 (@LeonHWolf) February 6, 2019
Heartbroken. Rest In Peace Doc. pic.twitter.com/FezOeFKEHS
— Skip LaCombe (@skiplacombe) February 6, 2019
No words. In the years I’ve known Doc he was a dedicated worker and good friend. He was kind enough to sub for me from time to time so I could take a day off. Please pray for his wife and children, their loss is immeasurable. https://t.co/4wqjYcU95C
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/jason_howerton/status/1093150320350453760
What? This is the worst news. I can't believe what I'm reading. Doc Thompson struck by a train and killed. My prayers go out to his family. Please keep them in yours. https://t.co/cFh846KGNH
— Jon Miller (@MillerStream) February 6, 2019
Doc Thompson https://t.co/EwUeNed2Rm
— Jason Buttrill (@JasonButtrill) February 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/JK_Porterfield/status/1093148620143190016
https://twitter.com/tregp/status/1093149161652932610
https://twitter.com/sarafeed/status/1093161208700698624
So tragic. What a loss. RIP, Doc. https://t.co/nQh7E09V5k
— Billy Hallowell 🙏 (@BillyHallowell) February 6, 2019
RIP Doc Thompson. He had an amazing radio voice and was always generous in sharing my work/inviting me on to discuss. Praying for his family and faithful colleagues today. 💔
— Carly Hoilman (Kashmanian) (@carlyhoilman) February 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/FrankelJeremy/status/1093152203680956416
Stunned. Praying for Doc’s family. https://t.co/rOjKiAagcy
— Lawrence Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) February 6, 2019
So very sad. https://t.co/tDeFYrzhTd
— Shannon Joy (@ShannonJoyRadio) February 6, 2019
This man truly helped me out through highschool! You will he missed! #WhatILearnedToday @DocThompsonShow @realKrisCruz @skiplacombe https://t.co/5v5LP4R8f4
— Matthew🇺🇸👮🏻♂️ (@WghCoCa) February 6, 2019
I’m not sure what to say. “Friend and mentor” is just a couple things Doc was to me. He was a hero and a leader I enthusiastically followed. He saw an ability in me others ignored and cultivated that ability. Losing him is like losing your light in a dark place. https://t.co/FWVSieXnrB
— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) February 6, 2019
In the wake of Thompson’s sudden death, colleagues of his set up a GoFundMe page to help his family during what must be an unimaginably difficult time.
“This page is to raise funds for expenses and the needs of the family,” the description reads. “Doc leaves behind his wife, Yuna, and his three children Tiger, Cubby, and Wythe.”
Tragedies like this serve as a reminder of the fragility of life here on Earth. As Cruz noted, life can change in the blink of an eye.
Please keep Thompson and his family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their beloved husband and father.