George Felix Thompson Jr
Feb 21, 1936 - Oct 23rd, 2022- Birth Date: Feb 21, 1936
- Death Date: Oct 23, 2022
- Funeral Date: Oct 31, 2022, 11:00 am
- Location: St. James United Methodist Church, Little Rock, AR
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Biography: George Felix Thompson, Jr., 86, of Little Rock died October 23, 2022. He was born February 21, 1936 to Carrie and Felix Thompson of Pine Bluff and El Dorado. After growing up in El Dorado, he graduated from Henderson State Teachers College where received his Music Education degree, majoring in piano, voice, and theory.
In 1958, at Forrest Heights Junior High School in Little Rock, he began his life-long music profession as a choral music teacher. Toward the end of his 7 year tenure, he began serving as choir director at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Little Rock. While there he hired the new church organist – the beginning of his 59-year life with his wife, Martha Lynn.
From St. Paul, his musical abilities led him to the Methodist Children’s Home of AR where he was introduced to handbells and became known as “the bell man.” While at MCH, his vocal and handbell choirs traveled more than 32,000 miles leading musical worship services in United Methodist Churches in Arkansas.
In October 1970, Felix became the Minister of Music at the newly formed St. James UMC where he and Martha Lynn built the Music Ministry that was a major ingredient in the growth of St. James.
Felix is survived by his wife, Martha Lynn, brother-in-law, Marshall Oathout (Edie) of Nashville, TN, and a host of former students, handbell ringers, choir members, and friends.
A service of celebration will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Monday, October 31, 2022, at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the St. James columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Thompson Scholarship Fund at St. James UMC, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72212. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
Condolences(17)
Charla Selman Behr
#17
Feb 18th, 2024 4:42 pm
I just happened upon this obituary looking up my old music teacher! Mr. Thompson taught me piano lessons for 5 years in Little Rock in the 1960's. We lived in the same neighborhood. He was a wonderful man who was endowed with much patience! I would love to have been able to tell him that I still have a piano and play it regularly thanks to his tutelage! I am so sorry to hear about his passing. My condolences to his wife and may he Rest in Peace!
CARLA McKnight BUCHANAN
#16
Nov 22nd, 2022 5:46 pm
Awe, so many wonderful memories growing up as the first batch of St. James Ringers! I will always remember Mr. Thompson as one of the best!
Linda Hall Fordyce
#15
Nov 2nd, 2022 3:42 pm
Felix ‘s Mother and my Mother were friends. When we went to visit I stood transfixed beside his piano while he played
for me. He and I were about 11 and 7. He was already marvelous. He was so kind to this little kid and added greatly to my love of music. I was always proud of him and all his wonderful influence on his world. RIP dear Felix.
for me. He and I were about 11 and 7. He was already marvelous. He was so kind to this little kid and added greatly to my love of music. I was always proud of him and all his wonderful influence on his world. RIP dear Felix.
Stacey Shaddox Bevans
#14
Oct 31st, 2022 5:46 am
Martha Lynn my condolences to you! Your and Mr. Thompson were my second set of parents along with our entire Bell Choir and St. James family! You are in my thoughts and prayers. You both of made lasting impressions on all of us and especially me! Love you
Annette Williams
#13
Oct 29th, 2022 12:35 pm
My sincere condolences to Martha Lynn.
Brenda Austin
#12
Oct 28th, 2022 8:21 pm
My sincere and heart-felt condolences to my friend, Martha Lynn and her family. Felix will be remembered throughout the handbell community for his many contributions. God bless, Brenda Austin, Hope Publishing
Carl Smith, Ph.D., Music Education choral and elementary general
#11
Oct 28th, 2022 11:54 am
Dear Martha Lynn, My sister Ann told me about Felix's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time of sorrow. You both meant very much to me, when I was a novice music teacher.
Sincerely,
Carl
PS- I now live in New York State. My beautiful wife (second marriage for us) passed away three years ago.
Take care-
Sincerely,
Carl
PS- I now live in New York State. My beautiful wife (second marriage for us) passed away three years ago.
Take care-
Dolores Norris King
#10
Oct 27th, 2022 9:30 pm
Mr. and Mrs. “T” were an incredible team that touched the lives of so many children at the Methodist Children's Home through their music programs. Words cannot describe the respect and love I have in my heart for Mr. T. Mrs. T, know that you are loved and our sympathy and prayers for you are unending.
Love you, Dolores
Love you, Dolores
Barbara and Jim Neevel
#9
Oct 27th, 2022 8:40 am
Dear Martha Lynn, We are so sorry for your loss. Felix was a very big part of our precious handbell memories. We are so thankful for all you and he added to our lives over more years than we can count. It is through Betty
Garee that we first met you. Heaven is becoming more and more precious to us as we lose more and more friends like Felix and Betty from this imperfect life to the perfect life in Heaven. Our love goes out to you with prayers of comfort. Barb and Jim
Garee that we first met you. Heaven is becoming more and more precious to us as we lose more and more friends like Felix and Betty from this imperfect life to the perfect life in Heaven. Our love goes out to you with prayers of comfort. Barb and Jim
ShirleyBrown
#8
Oct 25th, 2022 8:17 pm
Felix was a wonderful, good kind man! He as a joy to be with and a great friend to all. We will all miss his smile, and gracious ways. God bless you Martha Lynn!
Shirley Brown
#7
Oct 25th, 2022 8:12 pm
Felix was a wonderful, kind, good man! We will all miss his smile and friendship. My thoughts are with Martha Lynn. He was truly one of a kind, such a joy to be around!
Jim Stanley, Jr
#6
Oct 25th, 2022 6:48 pm
Dear Thompson family,
I never met Mr. T. but I knew of him. I knew him well enough to recognize his name when I read it in today's newspaper obit listings. My hometown's public schools music programs were directed by a marvelous lady - Mrs. Joyce Wentz and she proved to be the connection with Mr. T. . She had been the beloved Music Teacher for the Atchison, Kansas public elementary schools for a very long time. She established a bell ringing group when I was a youngster. The Atchison bell choir group was so talented, they played a concert at the White House! When Mrs. Wentz was about to retire, she was contacted by Mr. T. to discuss his acquiring a set of bells for St. James Methodist Church. She provided her bell collection to Mr. T. and he created the Arkansas church's bell choir. My own Mother (a music teacher) was inspired by Mrs. Wentz to start a bell ringers group at our Presbyterian Church in Atchison. Mr T. was spoken of often as he had excelled greatly with his bell choir group in Little Rock. He was well very admired. I greatly regret not having had the chance to meet him here in Little Rock as My Mother spoke often of his abilities as well as the gifted bell ringers at St. James.
I pray he has been welcomed in Heaven and given a new job as 'Bell Choir Director for the Angels'. My sincerest sympathies to his family and friends, plus all who made beautiful music with Mr. T.
I never met Mr. T. but I knew of him. I knew him well enough to recognize his name when I read it in today's newspaper obit listings. My hometown's public schools music programs were directed by a marvelous lady - Mrs. Joyce Wentz and she proved to be the connection with Mr. T. . She had been the beloved Music Teacher for the Atchison, Kansas public elementary schools for a very long time. She established a bell ringing group when I was a youngster. The Atchison bell choir group was so talented, they played a concert at the White House! When Mrs. Wentz was about to retire, she was contacted by Mr. T. to discuss his acquiring a set of bells for St. James Methodist Church. She provided her bell collection to Mr. T. and he created the Arkansas church's bell choir. My own Mother (a music teacher) was inspired by Mrs. Wentz to start a bell ringers group at our Presbyterian Church in Atchison. Mr T. was spoken of often as he had excelled greatly with his bell choir group in Little Rock. He was well very admired. I greatly regret not having had the chance to meet him here in Little Rock as My Mother spoke often of his abilities as well as the gifted bell ringers at St. James.
I pray he has been welcomed in Heaven and given a new job as 'Bell Choir Director for the Angels'. My sincerest sympathies to his family and friends, plus all who made beautiful music with Mr. T.
Sue McEntire Kimbrell
#5
Oct 25th, 2022 11:27 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you. (Cousin from McGhie side)
Loretta Whitney
#4
Oct 25th, 2022 8:34 am
Martha Lynn, I'm sending deepest sympathy to you as you travel this new path without Felix next to you in this life. Surely there is a huge Heavenly handbell choir waiting for his leadership! Grace and peace to you.
Dr. Tom Bolton
#3
Oct 25th, 2022 4:48 am
I was in Felix's very first madrigal group (around 1959?) at Forest Heights Junior High School, singing with this excellent group all three years (grades 7-9). He was a tremendous encouragement to me as a singer and musician and "forced" me to sing solos even though I was very shy. In the 9th grade I received an outstanding musician award from him as further encouragement. Largely as a result of that encouragement, I went on to receive a B.M. in vocal performance, an M.M. in musicology, and a Ph.D. in musicology. I taught for 49 years, including my years as Dean of the School of Church Music and Worship at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. I also was a featured tenor soloist with several symphony orchestras and performed multiple roles with the Arkansas Opera Theatre. I count Felix's encouragement and mentorship as a major factor in launching my career in music. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Martha Lynn. May God grant you peace and comfort.
Hesther Hayden
#2
Oct 24th, 2022 6:51 pm
Sincerest condolences to the family. Especially Martha Lynn. Truly a sad day & my heart is aching for y'all. Have such wonderful fond memories of many years of Bell Choir & performing all over. Will miss him dearly!!!
Barbara Holcomb Penney
#1
Oct 24th, 2022 5:58 pm
Mr . T was a kind and talented teacher who was loved and admired by all his students. I had the pleasure of being in his Glee Club and Arkansas’ first Madrigal Group, developed by Mr. T, in 1958 and again in 1959. He will be missed by so many. My condolences to Martha Lynn. God Bless him and May he Rest In Peace.