Obituary of Vicki Lyn Harris (Thompson)

Vicki Lyn Harris (Thompson) was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on October 6, 1971. She was born to Shirley and Milton Thompson. She is preceded in death by her parents, and big brother, Terry Thompson. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Joel Harris of Oklahoma City, OK; her beloved baby, Bryne Harris also of Oklahoma City; brothers Kendall Thompson and Warren “Ernie” Sampson among other special brother-cousins she had; her beloved aunt Shirley Dean Sampson; her nephew, Jayden Sampson and niece, Skylar Elkshoulder among a tree-like network of other beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives she loved deeply. Vicki was as talented as she was humble in her lifelong athletic passions that included softball and basketball. Her childhood fostered a strong discipine for the love of sport that grew in her, surpassing her short stature and allowing her to refine her talents visible by all in attendance of her games. She was a proud player in the history of the Ardmore Lady Tigers advancing to state tournaments and gaining various achievements, accolades and friends on her way. Her high school sports career propelled her to the next level where she gained a full-ride scholarship to Oklahoma City University where she applied herself as a first-generation college student and gained lifelong skills. It was there that she met who would be her husband of more than thirty years and began a family. Throughout her athletic career playing in the Indian softball community a highlight for her was winning the Oklahoma City Indian Women’s Fastpitch Tournament as a member of the Renegades. Even after her condition forced her to retire her cleets her passion remained unchanged and her eye for talent sharp as ever. For many familiar to the powerhouse woman that was Vicki, she was strong, well-disciplined and tenacious in her values. She was a person with such strong convictions that some were easy to misconstrue her as intimdating, but for those able to peer deeper into who she was would understand that Vicki was a coach and a teacher to her core— she sought to bring the best potential out of everybody that she cared for. On the other side of this was a sensitive, big-hearted woman who communicated her love through action and acts of service. Her absolute favorite moments of peace was idling around her family, eating her favorite foods, watching OU football games and laughing at old and new stories. For many that knew and remember her a smile was not far away. Vicki lived her life as a faithful servant of God. She may not have regularly attended a specific church but she was constantly studying God and the Bible as a way to better herself and understand life’s great mysteries. She made the distinction to live her life simply as a believer in Christ as opposed to one specific denomination and she found much of her peace through prayer and scripture. She also held great reverence for various tribal traditions that involved healing and prayers. As a Choctaw woman, Vicki often was straightforward about identity— she felt it was intangible and natural to who she was. It moved with her wherever she went. Nevertheless, she spent much of her time learning more about Choctaw customs, beadwork, language and applying it to the family history that she gathered. She undoubtedly came from a long line of strong Choctaw women. After 5 years of bravely fighting against cancer, she put down her weapons on February 12, 2024 in order to take a well-deserved rest and reunite with her mother, whom she dearly missed among her other loved ones. She was an amazing mother, auntie, wife, sister, niece whose absence will be missed by many and whose life was so important to many others’ lives. Vicki elected to forego traditional funeral services. She will be cremated with some of her remains released to the wind where she will be able to be with all her numerous loved ones wherever they may be. She will be celebrated in a small, private gathering with her loved ones remembering her fondly as she takes her journey and returns home to Heaven. In recognition of her esteemed softball career in the Indian fastpitch community, of which she was an all-around player mostly found at 3 rd base or pitching on occasion, a small listing of some of her accomplishments with the Renegades is as followed: • 2010: Haskell Graduation Tournament—1 st Place • 2008: Haskell Indian Nations Tournament—2 nd Place • 2007: Phillip Gomez Anadarko Tournament—1 st Place • 2000: Creek Nation – 1 st Place 2007: 4 th Place • 2002: 50 th Cherokee National Holiday— 1 st Place 2003: 2 nd Place 2007: 3 rd Place • 2004: SCAI Dallas, Texas Tourney—2 nd Place • 2003: Albuquerque Southwest Classic—2 nd Place 2004: 3 rd Place • 2003: State Women’s Fastpitch Tournament—1 st Place 2002: 2 nd Place 1999: 3 rd Place 2000: 3 rd Place 2004: 4 th Place 2005: 3 rd Place • 2003: Seminole Tribe of Florida ONASA— 1 st Place • 2003: Chickasaw Festival—3 rd Place • 2002,’01,’99: Anadarko Expo—1 st Place 2000: 3 rd Place 2005: 3 rd Place • 2002: Oklahoma Southern Plains Tourney in Norman—2 nd Place • 2002: Anadarko Mazzio’s Tournament—1 st Place • 2000: OKC Western Heights HS Tournament— 2 nd Place • 2000: Choctaw Nation Festival at Tuskahoma—3 rd Place • 1999: Anadarko Pizza Hut Classic—2 nd Place Many yakokes to Pat Nimsey and Kalonie Green for help in this record compilation.