Dr. Thomas J.B. Arnold

Dr. Thomas Jefferson Ball Arnold, known to all as Jeff, died peacefully at his home in Flint, Texas, on March 19, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Jeff was born on March 28, 1952, in Richmond, Virginia, to Marjorie Ball and Gordon Dawkins Arnold. His family later relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from David W. Carter High School and formed many lifelong friendships, especially those begun at T. L. Marsalis Elementary School. Jeff graduated with honors from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he joined the Theta Chi Fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1978, followed by an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Florida. In 1981, while completing a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he met a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit who would become his wife. Jeff and Louise Ferebee Taylor were married in 1982. A year later, they moved to Tyler, Texas, where Jeff became the fifth partner of Tyler Radiology Associates and practiced for an additional 34 years. As a physician, he was known not only for his skill, but for his compassion, humility, and steady presence in moments of great need. His patients and colleagues held him in high regard, and he found deep fulfillment in his work. A lifelong learner and voracious reader, Jeff spent more than fifty years collecting books on Texas, American, and military history. Like his father, he was an artist with a keen eye for detail—an attribute that served him well professionally and enriched his love of painting and sketching. He supported every activity his children pursued, proudly serving as “Coach Jeff” for boys’ and girls’ soccer teams as well as Little League baseball. Jeff volunteered in Tyler public schools for 25 years and was honored with a Texas PTA Life Membership in 1994. He was also affiliated with Boy Scout Troop 370 and was recognized by the Charles L. Sommers Association for completing the prestigious Triple Crown of National High Adventure at Northern Tier, Philmont, and Florida Sea Base. An avid outdoorsman with a special interest in marine biology, Jeff took his family on trips from the Caribbean to Alaska—journeys that often revolved around oceans, rivers, and mountains. In 2004, Jeff and Louise purchased land in Callahan County, Texas, which became known as the 7A Ranch. He cherished the time spent there with family, friends, and neighbors. His longtime hobby of hunting grew into a commitment to land conservation and wildlife management, passions he shared with his children during countless weekends and holidays at the ranch. Whenever possible, the family gathered for their annual Thanksgiving football game on the local high school field—always boys versus girls, with Dad proudly quarterbacking for the girls’ team. Jeff will be remembered most for the way he lived—as a man of faith, a loyal friend, a committed physician, and above all, a devoted husband and father. Jeff is preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Edmund Sitek; his brother, Gordon Dawkins “Doc” Arnold, Jr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Sandy & Sonny Boyer; his brother-in-law, Stuart Morgan, Jr.; and his brother-in-law, Paul Peterson. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Louise Taylor Arnold, and their children and spouses: Megan & Jeremy Miles, Wade Arnold, Emily & Josh Dorman, Julia & Taylor Reed, and Will Arnold. He was “Pops” to six grandchildren he adored: Eleanor & Graham Miles, Quinn & Morrison Dorman, and Owen & Liam Reed. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and John McLaughlin; sisters-in-law, Elaine Arnold, Sarah Peterson, and Martha Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jeff’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to those colleagues who so generously cared for him at home. Their compassion, skill and guidance were a true comfort and a reflection of the community Jeff was so proud to be a part of. The family is also profoundly thankful for the steady, loving support of his caregivers. Nia Forbin, Jan Sparks, Fatou Sarr, Gabriel Burdine, Nicole Wilkerson, and everyone at Heart to Heart Hospice became like family and made each day better for all. A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 118 South Bois d’Arc, Tyler, Texas 75702, on April 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with a reception and visitation to follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to organizations that had an impact on Jeff’s life. East Texas Area Council Boy Scouts of America, scoutingevent.com/585, 1331 East 5th Street, Tyler, Texas 75701 The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, gsnetx.org, 6001 Summerside Drive, Ste. 101, Dallas, TX 75252 Kourage Health, kouragehealth.org, 820 South Baxter Avenue, Tyler, TX 75701 Christ Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, christchurchtyler.org. 118 South Bois d’Arc, Tyler, TX 75702

Dr. Thomas J.B. Arnold

March 28, 1952 - March 19, 2026