GRACE HILL CEMETERY - GREGG COUNTY

Obituary for Dr. Tommy Thomas

A memorial service will be conducted Monday, October 27, 2014 at 
11 am in honor of the late Dr. Tommy Thomas, Sr., who passed away 
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at Good Shepherd Medical Center in 
Longview. The Reverend Kevin Wittmayer, rector of Trinity Episcopal 
Church will officiate at the service, which will be held at the 
Rader Funeral Home Chapel, 1617 Judson Road. Burial will follow at 
Grace Hill Cemetery in Longview. The family will greet friends from 
10 am until service time on Monday.

Dr. Tommy was a loyal member of Trinity Episcopal Church and was 
very active in civic and youth programs for many years. A lifelong 
Longview resident, he was born August 31, 1924, to George and 
Victoria Curi Thomas. He attended Longview public schools and was 
a star athlete for the Longview Lobos football team. After high 
school graduation he attended Kilgore Junior College and Centenary 
College in Shreveport, Louisiana. To continue his studies he 
attended Baylor University’s College of Dentistry where he obtained 
his degree in dental surgery.

After his formal education Dr. Tommy wanted to contribute to the 
United States, which had gladly welcomed his immigrant parents in 
1912. The whole Thomas family loved this country and strived to 
honor it with their proud loyalty and hard work. Dr. Tommy followed 
his family’s tradition as did his three brothers, who all served 
many years in the military during and after World War II. He joined 
the Army Dental Corps and was stationed in Italy as a captain and 
later, did duty in Fort Knox, Kentucky. After three years of 
military service he returned to Longview. He and his brother, Dr. 
A. G. Thomas, established a successful dental practice that thrived 
until he retired in 1987. 

Being civic-minded and fun-loving suited Dr. Tommy to a “T”.His son, 
Tommy, Jr., was a standout athlete in school football and loved the 
time he could spend with his father. His dad never missed a football 
game so he could see his son shine on the field. From being a Pack 
Leader for Jr.’s Cub Scouts to watching his big young man in football,
Dr. Tommy was in his element. He loved serving as president of the 
Lobo Booster Club, which gave Jr. such happiness, especially when 
baseball season came, and his dad was president of Youth Baseball.
His daughter, Brenda Renee’, also loved the attention her dad gave 
her. He never missed a football or basketball game where she led her 
teams on as cheerleader. And he was a devoted researcher and scout 
for her as they worked together to find her college of choice. Civic 
organizations in town could always count on his vim and vigor to 
establish and maintain activities that benefitted Longview as a whole. 
During those years of both lots of fun and plenty of civic work, Dr. 
Tommy served as president of the Cherokee Kiwanis Club and president 
of the Cedars of Lebanon Club, East Texas Chapter. He was a 50-year 
member of the Pythian Lodge, Longview Chapter, and a lifetime member 
of the American Dental Association.

Dr. Tommy is survived by many loving family members and friends who 
don’t want to say, ”good bye”. Survivors include Tommy Thomas, Jr., 
and his son Brian Keith Thomas; daughter Brenda Thomas Lane, husband 
Joe Lane, Jr., and their daughters Catherine Lane Adams, husband Mike, 
and their son Mason Michael Broad and daughter Alyssa Lane Beaverson; 
Carrie Lane Davis, husband David and their sons Dillan Wade Davis 
and Dustin Cole Davis; also, sister Selma Thomas Naifeh and brother 
Dr. A. G. Thomas and a number of nieces and nephews.

It seems that the happiness and privileges in our lives almost 
certainly will be tempered by profound loss. Death took several loved 
ones from Tommy. He lost his sister Mary and brothers Sam and Edd. He 
lost his much loved nephew Gilbert George Thomas, and cousin John Nay 
Thomas. His heart broke when his beautiful wife, Annie Ruth, died at 
Christmas time in 2013.

We who cherish him so much can only pray to God that Tommy will find 
his Annie and embrace her in a bond of love that is eternal.

Brenda and Tommy Jr. request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be 
made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, 
Memphis, TN 38105. St. Jude treats cancer in these young patients 
regardless of their ability to pay. George and Victoria Thomas were 
among a large group of founding sponsors of the original hospital.
May God bless you, Tommy. May He make His Light to shine upon you. 
May God give you peace both now and forevermore.