Arvel Lee Jernigan

The Celebration of Life will take place at Grove Hill Funeral Home, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 11:00 am with a reception immediately following. There will be a Private Family Graveside Service in Texarkana Ark at Calvary Cemetery on August 8 at 1:00 pm.

Arvel Lee Jernigan — Al to his friends — was born in 1931 to Sadie Lee (Arledge) Jernigan and Nokomus Orville Jernigan in Lepanto, Arkansas, on the Mississippi River bottoms. The family of six overcame the hardships that came with living in rural Arkansas during the Depression. And as a boy, Al enjoyed all the things a backwoods kid from Arkansas would do.

Growing up, he had an affinity for cars. And so, after graduating from Arkansas High in 1949, he went to Red River Arsenal, where he attained a Certification of Automotive Mechanic in 1952.

Shortly afterward, he married his first wife and the mother of his children, Jerry Mitchell Jernigan, and moved to Dallas. His father-in-law at the time was his best friend and first business partner, who helped him and Jerry move to Dallas.

Al’s first venture was on Canton and Ervay Streets, where he leased the entire block for his Texaco Service Station and 20-bay automotive shop. He later added a parking lot for everyone to park and walk to work. He was a Gates Tire Dealer.

During these early years, the family would spend many weekends at Lake Texoma at Preston Fishing Camp and “The Islands”. He loved the water and the beach — he later purchased a second home in Cancun. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

As the auto garage grew more successful, he invested in more buildings and eventually changed industries when he opened the Al-Mar Office Furniture Company on Main Street, selling new and used office furniture.

Al had a real knack for picking the best pieces at local auctions. After 11 years in business, he sold Al-mar to his son, Arvel, who moved it to north Dallas. Not looking forward to just sitting around, he opened Business Furniture Liquidators in the same location. Al was an avid antiquities dealer and collector, and, over time, purchased more buildings to warehouse all his furniture. It was one of the largest in the Southwest at the time.

A keen real estate investor, Al took his financial success and collaborated with several other Dallas businessmen to develop the Deep Ellum we all know and love today. The group turned several blocks of warehouses in the district into lofts and living spaces for the downtown community.

Al was a caring man and was involved in Kiwanis Club from 1963 through the 80s to give back to the community. The club awarded him with the Kiwanian of the Year award several times for his service.

He had lots of acquaintances from his adventures around the world and from his days at Lake Texoma. He even took in several of his workers as family over the years. Many today still call him Dad or Papa, whether a blood relative or not — it never mattered to Papa. Our family will miss him dearly.

Preceded in death by his wife Mirta Jernigan, his son Jeffery Lee Jernigan, his parents Sadie, Nokomus Jernigan, and his brother Jack Arlen Jernigan.

Survivors include his son Arvel Edward Jernigan, wife Candace, daughter Jerry Jernigan Pool, husband Terry, Daughter in law Karen Jernigan and Stepson Brian Altamura. His Grandchildren are Joseph Jernigan (Kym), Jake Pool, Bridget Hughston (Chris), Amanda Jernigan (Josman), and Brooke Morales. Step-Grandchildren Brandon Fowler (Katie), Simone Garner (Jamie) Paige Harman(Aaron) , Jolene Chiha, and Penelope Foster (Stewart). Great grandchildren Chloe, Mila, Pearl, Lauren, Theodore, Henry, Ivey, Pierce, Claire, Rosie, Ellie, Maxwell, Sarah, Thea, Remy, and Julian. Extended family members are Tony, Lotis, Melton, Willie, and Lawrence.

The family welcomes donations to The Ehrhart School as an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers. This school, located in Beaumont, Texas, operates in service of the Girls Haven foster care facility on site. The funds will be earmarked for grades 3 through 5 and go directly towards Science and STEM items such as robots, drones, and books for the library.

Please send your donations with your name attached to:

The Ehrhart School

Attn: JJ Pool

3420 Fannin Street

Beaumont, TX 77701