Tom Thomas was born in Garden City, Kansas on November 1, 1944. As a child in a military family he was accustomed to being mobile and having the opportunity to experience different environments. Each of the children in their family was born in a different state. They traveled from Kansas to New Mexico to North Dakota to Washington to Nebraska to California to Alabama—and then to England where he graduated from high school.
After high school graduation, his family moved to Virginia and he headed to Oklahoma to attend The University of Oklahoma. He remained an avid fan of OU football for the rest of his life. While still in college, he was visiting his brother and grandparents in Ada, Oklahoma, where he met the love of his life when she knocked on the wrong apartment door. Tom explained that the person she was looking for lived next door. He asked his friend next door who she was and called her that night, which started a romance that would lead to marriage on October 3, 1969, followed by 48 wonderful years together.
Tom had always wanted to fly, so after graduating from OU he applied to the United States Air Force for Officer Training School at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. When he graduated he was assigned to Flight Training at Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama. One of the highlights of his life was flying jets. After his time in the Air Force, he returned to Goodyear where he had worked part time in college. Starting out as a Credit Manager, he was promoted to Store Manager. While at the Sapulpa, OK store, he was awarded Top Store Manager in his district. When Tom’s father started a company called Aircraft Appraisal he asked Tom to join the company. Tom trained and became a certified Aircraft Appraiser and assisted with publication of the Airliner Price Guide and as an expert witness on legal matters relating to sale of aircraft. For the 15 years in this profession, he enjoyed the travel and the ability to meet a variety of people. At the death of his father, the company was sold and he and Donna moved to Carrollton, TX where he worked as an outside sales associate for an electrical supply company. Due to health issues, he retired at age 62 and volunteered at Baylor Carrollton Hospital as a concierge. He loved the volunteer work and his fellow volunteers became treasured friends.
Tom’s mother and father left him a legacy of faith in Christ, the importance of a good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and moral character. Although health issues prevented him from doing some of the things he loved to do like gardening, travel and writing, he enjoyed participating in Bible study and activities with our small group. We know he is with Jesus and has left behind the pain and illness he experienced. Now he is experiencing the joy of being at his final, eternal home.
Tom leaves behind his beloved wife, Donna, and mother, Ruth, brothers, Terry and wife Sally Thomas, Vince and wife Linda Thomas and Mark Thomas; Sister-in- law Rhonda Skinner and her husband John; Terry Pace and wife MaryAnn. Nieces and nephews: Kristie Thomas Landwair; Michelle Thomas; Wesley Thomas; Kyle and Kira Thomas; Alicia and Tony; Jared and Camille; Kaylee, Alyssa, Dahlia, Olivia and Blake. He was preceded in death by his father Allen, sister-in- law Teresa Thomas and nephew Jonathan Skinner. Tom’s family would like to thank the church family at Metrocrest Community Church for their love and support during this challenging time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fisher Houses, which provide military families housing close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury (www.fisherhouse.org), or to Metrocrest Community Church.