A memorial service for John Arthur Thomason, age 100, of Brownwood, Texas will be held 4:00 pm Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the Heartland Funeral Home
John Arthur was born in Rockport, Texas on May 22, 1918 and died February 6, 2019 in Brownwood, Texas. The family moved to Brownwood in 1920 where his father, A.N. Thomason, started the first accounting firm in 1921. He attended the University of Texas in 1935 on a football scholarship, but a hip injury his freshman year put an end to his athletic days. Returning to Brownwood, he attended Daniel Baker College for two and one half years before joining the family firm. He married Mary Elizabeth Wilson in 1940 and had three children. He was one of the charter members of the Brownwood Jaycees and served as state vice president and director. Also, during his decades of practicing public accounting , he was an officer in the Texas County auditors association, Texas association of public accountants, National society of public accountants (vice pres. – two years) and a member of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. If there was any spare time, he loved fishing, golf and collecting old books, currencies, arrowheads and, not being shy, gave many a presentation on these subjects to any group that asked. Being an old Brownwood Lion himself, he started purchasing season tickets in the 1940’s and made at least one home game every year through last fall. He helped start the lions quarterback club and was on the committee that planned the new football stadium. In 2016, John was inducted into the Gordon Wood Hall of Champions. His determination to overcome a devastating injury and march forward with his life set an amazing example for everyone who knew him. Though medically disabled, he never saw himself that way and made sure family and friends didn’t either. For his three completely healthy children, this example put a big dent in our excuses for not being able to do or accomplish something. There has never been a more inaccurate medical diagnosis than the one by the doctor who told him he would be in a wheelchair permanently by age 35.
He is survived by his daughter Connie Sue Gibbs and son Gary J. Thomason, both of Brownwood; four grandchildren Dr. Courtney Walters and husbad Alex, Kim Jeffrey and husband John, Lindsay Zacharko and husband Jason, Seth Thomason and wife Chelsea. Nine great grandchildren Finley, Harper and Barrett Walters, Travis Jeffrey, Luke and Jillian Zacharko, Bryan, Matthew and Ethan Thomason. John’s oldest son, James (Jimmy) Thomason, died in 1968. Dad/Pompaw will certainly be missed, but never forgotten.
In lIeu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Brown County Historical Society, 404 N. Fisk or the Brownwood Public Library, 600 Carnegie, Brownwood, Texas 76801.
