Jeanne Arnold Thompson

Jeanne Arnold Thompson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, artist, and adored family matriarch, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas, seven months after celebrating her 100th birthday. She lived a life so full of love, adventure, and creativity that a single century barely seemed enough to contain it.

Born September 13, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, Jeanne was still a young girl when her father moved the family to Texas to escape the cold winters—a decision that would shape the rest of her life. In Austin, her father opened the Big Bear Grocery Store, which became a true Austin institution. Jeanne attended Austin High School before going on to the University of Texas, where she majored in art education, a passion that would follow her all her days.

It was during World War II that Jeanne met the love of her life. At the Officer’s Club at Bergstrom Air Force Base, a young C 47 pilot named Philip Thompson Jr. made her promise not to marry anyone else while he was away. She kept that promise. The two exchanged letters while Phil served in the Philippines, and when he returned, they married—Jeanne in a wedding dress made from a Japanese silk parachute he had brought home from the war. After the war, Phil and Jeanne moved to Athens, Georgia, where they pursued their educations at the University of Georgia. Phil completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agriculture, while Jeanne earned her Bachelor’s in Art and Education—all while beginning their family. Their son Philip and daughter Patsy were born during those Georgia years, and the foundation of a rich family life was already well underway.

When Jeanne’s parents called them back to Texas, Phil and Jeanne founded Brushy Creek Cage Eggs in Leander. Their youngest daughter Bobbie was born in Leander, followed by their son Donald, before the family eventually settled in Austin. There, life revolved around family, friends, horses, and community. Their neighborhood was the kind where kids were expected to feed the horses, muck the stalls, and do everything in between. There were rodeos, trail rides, Halloween parties, taffy pulls, and square dances. Jeanne and Phil played bridge—she was formidable at the table—and hauled kids and horses to play days at the Travis County Sheriff Posse Arena. It was, by all accounts, a wonderful life.

The Thompson family shared a deep love of travel and togetherness, anchored by an annual summer tradition that has endured for over fifty years: an extended family reunion at Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Each evening, a different family would take their turn hosting dinner for the group. When it was the “Texas Thompsons” night, that meant margaritas, fajitas, pralines, and—if you weren’t careful—leaving the poker table a little lighter in the wallet, courtesy of Jeanne.

Jeanne was an accomplished and dedicated artist. For many years she focused on china painting, producing an entire set of china, a matching tea set, and serving dishes with meticulous care. She later studied under international artist Gustav Likan, who introduced her to glazing with acrylics, and she eventually transitioned to oils and landscapes. Her work was collected by admirers including Robert Caruth of Caruth Arabians and Quarter Horses. In her apartment at The Westmore in Fort Worth—where she moved in January 2016 to be closer to her daughter Bobbie—her paintings lined the walls alongside other art she had gathered over a lifetime. Visitors were always welcome to come see it.

She had a love for dachshunds, and two of them had the great honor of being named Snoopy.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Thompson Jr.; her sons, Donald Thompson and Philip Thompson III; and her daughter, Patsy Napier. She is survived by her daughter, Bobbie Thompson Marrow, and son-in-law Dr. Warren Marrow, and her seven grandchildren: Julie Thompson Larkin and her husband Jake, Natalie Flowers, Ross Flowers, Ashley Marrow and her husband Byron, Philip Napier and his wife Lauren, Allison Marrow Argenbright and her husband Kyle, and Hunter Marrow—as well as six great-grandchildren who will carry her spirit forward.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Jeanne’s devoted companions—Patricia, Connie, Ludivina, Karla, and Isabel—whose kindness, dedication, and love made her final years more active and enjoyable.

Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749, US, on April 24, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Funeral Service will take place at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral H, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749, US, on April 25, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.