Jere William Thompson

Born in Waxahachie, Texas and raised in Dallas, Jere was educated at Holy Trinity Catholic School, the Hotchkiss School, Highland Park High School, and The University of Texas. At UT, Jere was a member of Phi Beta Gamma and served as the manager of the UT football team. While attending Highland Park High School, he met his soulmate Margaret “Peggy” Dunlap in 1949. Shortly after his graduation from UT, they married on June 5, 1954. Jere then served in the Navy in New Orleans, LA.

After his naval tour, Jere began work with The Southland Corporation, the owner of 7-Eleven stores, which his father Joe C. Thompson founded in 1927. Jere rose through the ranks, expanded 7-Eleven beyond Texas, and ultimately served as Southland’s President and CEO beginning in 1983. Through grace, perseverance, and talent, Jere helped enable 7-Eleven to grow from a small convenience store selling ice, milk, and eggs into a global business with thousands of stores serving countless people’s needs. Jere’s many contributions include promoting the frozen Slurpee, initiating stores selling gasoline, and introducing 24-hour service to a world needing round-the-clock access. Even while he ascended to top leadership, he always gave credit to the countless employees, franchisees, partners, and vendors who enabled Southland to grow and thrive. Undergirding his many leadership strengths were his unwavering moral compass and integrity.

Also central to Jere’s character was his belief in giving back to the community, particularly as a leader of numerous significant philanthropic and educational efforts. He consistently invested in the community to make it better. Jere gave advice to entrepreneurs and experienced business people, helped build, finance, and beautify churches and medical centers, and generously encouraged and thanked those who serve our great country. His leadership roles included President of the National Association of Convenience Stores, President of Brook Hollow Golf Club, Chair of the College of Business Administration Foundation Advisory Council at UT, YPO International President, Board of Directors of St. Paul Medical Center Foundation, Chair of the National Center for Policy Analysis, Chair of The University of Texas Development Board, Chair of the Chancellor’s Council at UT, Chair of the Advisory Council of the Catholic Foundation, and Co-Chair of the UT Dallas Leadership Council. In recognition of his service, Jere received The University of Texas Distinguished Alumnus Award, the National Brotherhood and Humanitarian Award from The National Conference of Christians and Jews, The University of Texas College of Business Administration Distinguished Alumnus Award, Catholic Foundation Outstanding Service Award, Award as Member of Distinguished Panel of Judges for the 1989 Entrepreneur of the Year, The Southland Corporation Wall of Honor, Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI, and the Jere W. Thompson Endowed Presidential Scholarship. In addition, he found great joy in generously giving, including to The University of Texas, UT Southwestern Medical Foundation supporting UT Southwestern Medical Center, the University of Dallas, and Catholic Charities.

Jere lived with abundant gratitude. He recognized that his good health, his wonderful country, his family and friends, his ability to provide, and countless other blessings were gifts from God. Moreover, he was authentic and a man of principle through word and action.

Jere greatly valued his family, friends, and colleagues. He cherished and enabled social gatherings. Bringing people together was his skill and focus, and it brought him happiness. Filled with generosity, any outing was usually his treat. Most centrally, Jere focused his talents and character on developing a happy, strong, large, and vibrant family, including seven children and scores of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jere was predeceased by his wife Margaret “Peggy” Dunlap Thompson, his parents, Joe C. and Margaret Thompson, and his brother John P. Thompson. He is survived by his seven children, Michael and wife Debbie Thompson, Jere and wife Carolyn Thompson, Pat and wife Amy Thompson, Debbie and husband Bruce Nelson, Kim Thornton, Chris and wife Susie Thompson, and David and wife Lee Thompson, twenty-three grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, brother Joe C. “Jodie” Thompson, Jr., and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. We are grateful for Jere’s long and healthy life, strength of character, high integrity, love of family and friends, and faithfulness to Christ. We are blessed to have a role model who lived so well.

Services celebrating Jere’s life will take place at Christ the King Catholic Church, Dallas, Texas, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023, with a rosary at Christ the King at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Honorary pallbearers are Hugh “Chris” Dunlap, Alan D. Feld, J.L. Jackson, John L. Lancaster, and Joe C. Thompson, Jr. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to the UT Southwestern Medical Foundation, Ex Students’ Association of the University of Texas at Austin, and Catholic Charities.