Donald Thompson (Thompson’s Rio Pride Orchards) is a native of the Rio Grande Valley. He was born in Weslaco, Texas in 1938. He joined his father, Paul, in the citrus business in 1957.

In 1961, Mr. Thompson went into business for himself, growing citrus. Key components to his success have been “innovation” and “quality.” He has always been willing to take the lead in trying new methods of irrigation and grapefruit production.

Donald Thompson was the first to grow the now famous Star Ruby grapefruit and the Rio Red grapefruit commercially.

Mr. Thompson has always been heavily involved in promoting the Texas Citrus industry. He has served on many committees and as chairman of the Texas Valley Citrus Committee and the Texas Citrus Exchange. He was president of Texas Citrus Mutual. He is a past recipient of the Texas Citrus Mutual “Grower of the Year” award. Mr. Thompson was selected to serve on the Texas A&M Citrus center Advisory Board in 2000. He is the past “King Citrus” Texas Citrus Festival.