Clarence Gene Thompson's Obituary
On August 28, 1932, Clarence Gene Thompson (Gene) was born in Dallas Texas to John Henry and Evelyn Connor Thompson. He died on April 12, 2024. His faith in God and family were the two most important things in his life - his own words.
Gene had a happy childhood with parents who cared deeply. He and brother Jerry would sleep outside on the roof of the shed during the summer and fall asleep looking up at the stars. During second grade, on the recommendation of his teacher who had spotted his talent, he was allowed to go by bus to weekly art lessons at the Dallas Museum of Art. He also went by trolley car to clarinet lessons at Fair Park.
He enjoyed talking about the ongoing "war" between the kids on Richard Avenue and those on Willard Street. It featured an Army of ten-year-olds, rubber guns of all types and hard-fought battles! He had a paper route and an allowance at that time of 25 cents a week, and every Saturday he would spend 15 cents on a movie and 10 cents on candy at the Arcadia Theater. At 16 he became an usher at that same theater. He played clarinet at Highland Park High School in the ROTC marching band and took bus trips with the band. Once he created a stir by wearing white socks and loafers with his uniform!
After graduating from Highland Park High School and during the war in Korea, Gene joined the United States Air Force, at the same time taking required courses at Texas Christian University. After the service, he then went on to graduate from Southern Methodist University. While attending SMU he sold GI housing, putting in many cold late hours and selling many houses. The sales skill he was developing later served him well.
In 1958 while working in New York City for Jones and Laughlin Steel, Gene met, fell in love with and married Mary Kathryn Waterman of Westchester County, New York. In 1962 he became a pioneer with a start-up company back in Dallas named Modern America Insurance, selling pension plans to small businesses in New York and Connecticut. He received many awards as one of their top salesmen. Then in 1974, Gene and his family moved to Dallas, Texas, where Gene joined the management team of Modern America, eventually becoming president of the company and holding this position for more than ten years. Gene went on to become a member of the local life insurance association, a chartered Financial Planner and a Principal of the National Association of Securities Dealers. At age 55 he took early retirement from Modern America and became an independent financial advisor.
In his later years, Gene became a member of the Unity Church of Dallas and enjoyed doing volunteer work, including joining the Board and becoming the Finance Committee head. He also participated in many classes there. Then he moved over to the Center for Spiritual Living and attended what he termed “the soul-searching meetings" of the Men's Group where he made worthwhile friends with genuine spiritual interest. He was also part of the bread ministry at St. Rita Church, delivering bread to local foodbanks. He was of course always ready and willing to pick up or deliver a grandchild to an activity. He loved helping out in any way he could.
He had many hobbies - art (painting); music - especially classical and country; photography, snow skiing and sailing on his 24-foot sailboat. He loved taking anyone in the family who wanted to go for a day of sailing on Lake Dallas. He was an excellent game-player and loved playing games with his grandchildren.
He is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 66 years; his children, James Connor Thompson and wife Portia; John Gregory Thompson and wife Lisa; and Elizabeth Thompson Grant and husband, Kevin; and was preceded in death by his oldest child, Edward Gene Thompson, and granddaughters Nicole Renee Thompson and Olivia Marie Grant. He leaves ten grandchildren: Natalie Rose Thompson, Meaghan Elizabeth Grant, Kelley Eileen Grant, Ryan Matthew Grant, Mary Grant Girard, Elizabeth Anne Grant, Emily Grant Smith, Kevin Patrick Grant, Michael John Paul Grant, Colin Anthony Grant; and great-grandchild, Jace Allen Grant.
Gene was kind and gentle and caring. He was a blessing in the lives of his family and those who knew him. Nothing was more important to him than his family. He believed that he had led a good and full life, and that whatever God had planned for him after death would be perfect.
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