Gerald Griffith

Thompson

Gerald Griffith Thompson was born in Fort Worth to Rev. Carroll Hale, a Methodist preacher, and Dorothy Griffith Thompson, a teacher, on December 22,1940. He was Jerry to family and friends and Papa to his grandchildren.

As the son of a preacher, he spent his early years moving from one small Texas town to the next. He excelled in both academics and athletics and played in the band. During football games, at halftime, he would run off the field with his team then right back on with the band.

He married after graduating from Georgetown High School in 1958 and attended Texas Tech University. There he completed a chemistry degree in three years, during which time he welcomed his oldest two children, Jana and Kelly, into the world. He then began studies at UT Southwestern Medical School. In his first semester, just days before his first major exam, he received news of the birth of surprise twin boys. After graduating in 1965, he completed his residency at John Peter Smith Hospital.

In 1967, Jerry was drafted into the Army where he was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska. He initially served as battalion surgeon for mechanized infantry division, then to base hospital. He loved his time in the service and spoke often about his years in Alaska.

After moving back to Arlington, Texas in 1970, Jerry joined a family practice group where he remained for 37 years until retirement. During that time, he embraced the concept of a true family physician, caring for multiple generations of families, and early on delivering babies, which he loved.

Jerry married Linda Hohman Thompson in March 1994. For the next 32 years they were a team through all aspects of their life. They enjoyed travel and adventures, sometimes working side by side in the ER and the office. Their grandchildren were a big part of their life. Jerry was a pushover when it came to them. He loved to share experiences with them and being a Papa was one of his greatest joys. After retirement in 2007 and the move to San Saba, he got to enjoy the kids and their friends through their high school and college years. He was Papa to them all and loved nothing more than sitting on the porch and sharing stories with the “young ones”.

Jerry’s San Saba years were some of his happiest. The immediate connection to neighbors was so special. He embraced this new life and was eager to learn all aspects of planting and irrigation. Thankfully, he had a great and patient mentor. The community of friends and neighbors was something he and Linda cherished. It is safe to say that the outpouring from the community of unconditional love and support, prayers, cleanup help, meals and lodging, the list goes on, after the July 4th flood was so overwhelming, words were, and still are, inadequate. From a grateful wife, thank you to all who have been by our side, both physically and emotionally, over these past 16 months.

After a sudden and brief illness, Jerry passed peacefully at home on October 28th surrounded by those he loved. A heartfelt thank you to Solaris Hospice for making that possible.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Jana, and his sister Carol Jane. He is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter, Kelly (David) Weeks, twin sons Ken(JoLee) and Kevin(Patti), 8 grandchildren (Tori, Dylan, Trace, Meghan, Hank,Tanner, Tucker, and Zachary), two great-grandsons (Miles & Wesley), sister Sue(Jim) Lucy, bonus siblings Carol(Marty) Kaltenbaugh, Bob(Marie Christine) Hohman, many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his second love and companion, Ellie.

Service for Jerry will be held in Arlington, Texas at Wade Funeral Home on Friday, Nov 20th at 10 am, with visitation at 9. A 2pm burial will follow at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Samaritan’s Purse, San Saba County Friends of Animals, San Saba Fire-Rescue, or St Jude's Children's Hospital.