Norman "Gene" Eugene Thompson

Arlington--Norman Eugene Thompson, 80, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2016 in Mansfield. Funeral Service: Monday, 12:30 p.m. at New York Avenue Church of Christ, 5371 New York Avenue, Arlington, TX 76018 with Dr. Bill Keele officiating. Norman was born on October 21, 1935 in Pomona, Missouri to George Boone Thompson and Delilah Blanche Brower Thompson. He joined the Air Force at the age of 19 and served for 4 years at Perrin Air Force Base, as a Sr. Airman, and where he was introduced to Donna, his future wife, by her brother in law, Ray McCollum. On June 13, 1959 Norman married Donna Jo Bush of Calera, Oklahoma. They settled in Calera where he drove a truck for Pillsbury for four years. They eventually settled in Arlington in 1966 where he started a 38 year career hauling new cars for Jack Cooper Transports. His Dad was a truck driver and he said truck driving was in his blood. Norman dearly loved his family and friends and was fiercely loyal. He loved his country and was extremely patriotic. In his spare time, he liked to read and watch baseball with one of the family pets next to him. In his younger days, he would drive a truck all week and want to take a family "road trip" on Saturday. He loved reading historical markers which his daughters called "histerical". He was baptized in 1964 and he and Donna were longtime members of New York Avenue Church of Christ. Survivors: Wife, Donna Jo Thompson of 56 years; his daughters, Terri Hayes and husband, Robert, and Rhonda Thompson; grandchildren, Brooks Hayes and Allison Hayes; siblings, Wanda Thompson Heselton and Kathy Thompson Hollingshad and husband Guy; and many nieces and nephews.