Arnie Thomison

Arnie Thomison, 74, of Copan, rode off "into the newborn sun, just like them horses do when it's time to run", Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at his home. He passed away after a diagnosis of cancer this July that became extremely aggressive within weeks.
Arnie was born November 17, 1949, in Bartlesville, OK, to Leo Ralph and Ylita Charlene (Warden) Thomison. The lifelong cowboy was practically born wearing boots and riding horses. He never strayed too far from his Copan area home except for his Guard duties and rodeos. Arnie was a 1968 graduate of Copan High School. He attended SE Kansas Vo-Tech School in Machine Technology class, and as his future would reflect, he received high praise for his work ethic and skills. He went to work for a short time at the Jensen Brothers Foundry in Coffeyville. Arnie then served for four years in the Army National Guard.
His career as a coded welder at Phillips Petroleum followed and lasted until 2000, when he sustained a traumatic head injury while working on the farm and became permanently disabled. He was the most organized and hard-working man this family has known. Leatherwork kept his hands busy and was his brain building therapy. Having never used a sewing machine, he went about buying leather machines that needed repair. He bought them, repaired them and used it to start sewing leather. He crafted medicine bags, chaps, saddle bags, purses and headstalls, along with other horse or farm related needs. He also welded his own bits and spurs, with several of his bits still being used and requested today. He had recently purchased material to start building bits again for recent requests. He was still trying to help others and do his chores at the home place up until two weeks of his passing. One of his comments while bedfast, "I'm so tired, but there is so much work to do."
Arnie was so very gifted with horses. He had innate qualities about training horses, as well as different bits, saddles and how and when to use it. Quarter horses were always his passion. He also loved pulling ponies and was a talented farrier. One memorable accomplishment was when his mare, Boogers Wendy, won the Oklahoma Calf Roping Championship in 1999, just one year before his head injury. He also qualified his great bay mare, "Mother" to the OKC World Championship AQHA show finals several times following his head injury and recovery. He was an athlete himself but also possessed a natural ability to watch a horse and rider and see where a problem was located, whether it was a bit "the horse didn't like", or equipment used incorrectly, he could see it in an instant. Over the years he gave his talent freely to any of the many who asked his advice.
Arnie met the love of his life, Jacqueline "Jackie" Brush, on a blind date, with fate lending a hand. Months before their blind date, Jackie happened to drive by Arnie's house on the way to Ed Curtis's wedding, and thought to herself, "This would be the perfect place for my horse." She planned to stop there someday and ask the owners to let her know if they ever decided to sell. Little did she know that one day she would be living there with a loving, honorable man. They met through a mutual friend, Bobby Peck, who told both of them they were each 'rich and loved horses," and would be perfect for each other. He got two out of three correct. Arnie and Jackie shared a deep love and history of horses and felt they'd been destined to meet. Two years later, they tied the knot on April 16, 1994, at Copan Methodist Church. Arnie and Jackie had ridden different disciplines before they met, with Arnie being a roper and Jackie a cutting/stock horse rider. Wanting to be able to do a sport together, Arnie helped Jackie learn to rope heels and the couple enjoyed team roping together for many years.
He was a giver of his time, knowledge, and resources. Even though he might sometimes have come across as irascible, he was very generous and always wanted to help. Arnie could fix anything and was known to help his family and friends with their troubles with tractors and machinery. He was meticulous of the repair and care of all his equipment, and nothing upset him more than to see neglect or misuse of equipment. Arnie was a lover of animals. He did not know he loved cats until Debby Foreman gifted them two for his marriage to Jackie. Hardly a home photo of him was without a cat on his shoulder or by his side.
Arnie was rarely spotted outside his home after his head injury unless it was a required trip for supplies and tools. He preferred being in the structured and quiet environment of all he loved at the homestead. However, a good calf roping or the World AQHA show could get him in the truck without much prompting. His close friends also meant the world to him. He spent many an hour retelling the good stories of his past shared with the men of his life. Once he began, he was a gifted storyteller. His significant support system of men included Raymond Thompkins, Jimmy Craun, John Scott. He always knew these men would help no matter the time. He had many friends from his rodeo community and always enjoyed visiting or retelling attributes of each of them.
In addition to his loving wife, Arnie was surrounded with a wonderful support system. His son and daughter-in-law lived on one side of his house and his daughter lived across the road.
Arnie embodied the life of a cowboy with his strong personality and strong moral character. His life impacted not only his family but his community, as well. He didn't want to leave this World so soon, but he also never lost sight of the promise Jesus gave to never leave us or forsake us. He believed Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior and that His Son died to save his soul and give him everlasting life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Leo James Thomison; two siblings, Keith Allen Thomison, and Kathy Thomison; and a grandson, Drew Pape.
Arnie is survived by his wife, Jackie; son, Richard Thomison and wife Patti; daughter, Lola Thomison (fiance Travis Carter); siblings, sister Marcia Miller; bother Ralph Thomison and wife Elizabeth Jean, three grandchildren, Chelsea Hensley (Tyler), Rachel Toothman, and Shelby Pape; 14 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his beloved Quarter horses, his "tell me you've never seen a better colt" Buster, along with his cowdogs and spoiled cats.
There will be no formal services. A celebration of life will be held at home at a later date. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.