Wyatt Thistle’s smile, joy and hugs were legendary. Countless people considered him their best friend.
“Wyatt was everything you could ask for in a fraternity brother. He was energetic, kind and hilarious. Wyatt was always the funniest person in the room and had the most distinct laugh imaginable. His energy was contagious and unforgettable,” said Daniel Reed, a Phi Delta Theta chapter adviser at the University of Mississippi.
The 20-year-old from Alamo Heights, Texas, died this year during a spring break boating accident. To honor him, his Ole Miss fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, has contributed $108,000 to establish the Wyatt James Thistle Endowment. The fund will award a scholarship each year to a sophomore member who exemplifies Thistle’s traits.
“We wanted to honor Wyatt because he was the type of guy who celebrated people for just being themselves. He was such a happy person — Wyatt never had a sad look on his face,” said Ellis Bates of Ridgeland, Mississippi, Phi Delta Theta president.
“Wyatt had this contagious laugh that brought others to join in with him. A lot of our members have quoted ‘laugh like Thistle’ because it was so beautiful.”
Thistle’s mom, Kate Strause, recalled their reaction when she and her son visited Ole Miss for the first time on a football game weekend during his senior year in high school.
“Wyatt went to the Grove with friends, and I went to the game later alone. As I sat in the stands, I realized this was Wyatt’s place. This was where I knew he would be happy. He came to my seat during halftime to check on me and asked me what I thought. With big tears in my eyes, I told him it was the most amazing place I had ever seen and Ole Miss was perfect for him.
“He gave me the biggest hug and said he felt the same way,” Strause continued. “It was a beautiful and emotional moment for both of us.”
Strause expressed gratitude for the scholarship endowment.
“I personally believe that Wyatt was the best human, and knowing this scholarship is in place means he left a huge mark on his Phi Delt brothers and the school. Future students of Ole Miss will be able to learn about him a little each year, and that brings a very special sense of peace in this extremely dark time for me,” she said.
“Wyatt was the best of the best,” continued Strause. “The best son, cousin, grandson and most of all, best friend to all. Since his death, I have received thousands of notes, texts, letters, messages and calls from his best friends, making sure I am okay, telling me how important he was in their lives. They share stories of his laughter, kindness, hugs and overall love he had for them, and they had for him.”
Reed of Jackson, Mississippi, explained that Phi Delta Theta presents eight awards annually in honor of brothers who’ve died.
“Many of these awards are scholarships that allow us to give financial aid to the best members in the chapter. They also ensure the brothers we lost too soon are never forgotten. After we lost Wyatt, we knew we wanted him to have the same legacy in our chapter.
“The Wyatt James Thistle Endowment will be our largest scholarship each year. His scholarship will financially support students for generations while ensuring Wyatt’s values and spirit continue to influence others just as he did,” the chapter adviser said.
Thistle, a high school basketball and football player, was passionate about sports, travel, dancing, running, hunting and ranch life. His mother always described it as “the fabulous life of Wyatt Thistle.”
Phi Delta Theta hosted its third annual pickleball tournament at Oxford’s Avent Park recently in support of Thistle’s endowment.
“We are proud to share the tournament raised over $22,000 for the endowment,” said Wilson Eatherly, of Ridgeland, Phi Delta Theta philanthropy chair. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, players and supporters who helped us get one step closer to achieving our goal. Their generosity and participation continue to keep Wyatt’s legacy alive.”
One of his friends wrote of that legacy, “Wyatt showed me how to care deeply, love selflessly and laugh endlessly. If I could become half the person Wyatt was, that would be plenty. Wyatt made me want to excel in life and be the best version of myself.”
In addition to his mother, Thistle is survived by his father, David Thistle; his stepfather, Jimmy Malone, and family and friends across the world.
To make a gift to the Wyatt James Thistle Endowment, send a check with the fund’s name written in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655 or online here.
For more information, contact Brett Barefoot, executive director of central development, at bmbarefo@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2711.
By Tina H. Hahn/UM Development