Roll Call Tribute

John Rowland Thompson 

October 12, 1926 - March 2, 2025 

John Rowland Thompson of Dallas, Texas passed away on March 2, 2025 at the age of 98 with his wife, Jackie, by his side. John was born October 12, 1926, to Walton Eiland Thompson and Helen Whitaker McLean. He attended W. H. Adamson High School and at the age of 16 went to Texas A & M University for two years before he joined the Army. After the war, he returned to A & M where he received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree. He established John R. Thompson & Associates, Inc. in 1953 and began planning and designing buildings. During his 40 years in business, he designed approximately 200 schools, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, fire stations, theaters, and super markets. These included the Texas A & M University Health Center, Newman Smith High School in Carrollton Farmers Branch, Prestonwood Office Building at Beltline and Dallas Tollway and Graymark Building on Addison Road. Before the Dallas Tollway was formed, John and partners purchased some land on Dallas Parkway, and John designed and built an office building. His company became John R. Thompson & Partners. He purchased a construction company, and both occupied office space in the building until he retired in 1993.

While at A & M, John married Wyllena Jo Bryson, and they had three children. Gwen Taylor (Johnny), Julie Baker (Cliff), and Ronnie Thompson. John has eight Grandchildren and nine Great Grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother & sister-in-law, Milton and Mary Ann Thompson.

In 1974, John married Jackie Richey. For the next 50 years, they fell in love everyday. They worked together the first 20 years of their marriage until John retired in 1993. John enjoyed playing golf and cards (gin) at Bent Tree Country Club. They spent time with friends and family at Lake Texoma on their 42' Blue Water boat named "Angel Face." They enjoyed traveling, whether on cruises, flights to Las Vegas, motor home trips with friends to Lake Tahoe and football trips to A & M. They also took trips to visit John's children and grandchildren.

John was a kind and generous person, and loved by many. He cherished life and especially loved going to Choctaw, OK with his wife. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral service.