DONALD R. "TATER" THOMAS, born in Lassater, Marion County, Texas, on August 8, 1932 to 
James Roy Thomas and Ida Bennett Thomas, died on Tuesday, October 1, 2002 in Shreveport, 
Louisiana. 

He is the gr-gr-gr-grandson of William H. Thomas and Celia Watson Thomas of Cass County; 
gr-gr-grandson of Jonathon M. Thomas and Kizzie/Martha Thomas; gr-grandson of William Arthur 
"Billy" Thomas and Amanda Wilson Thomas of Hughes Springs; and the grandson of James 
Robert "Rob" Thomas and Mary Jones Thomas of Daingerfield and Hughes Springs. 

"Tater" worked for over 40 yrs for the Texas Highway Department in Jefferson and Marshall and 
served for 44 yrs in the Texas National Guard, retiring from both in the mid-90's. He was a Vestryman 
of Christ Episcopal Church in Jefferson and successfully co-chaired with is wife the Marion County 
Veterans Memorial Fund. He was a natural athlete who played football, basketball, and baseball with 
the Jefferson Bulldogs and was co-captain in his Senior high school year as well as a member of the 
J club. In former years, he played semi-professional soft-ball for the Lecuno ball club and was a self-
taught drummer and guitarist who sang with various groups during the 1960's and 1970's. 

"Tater" was married to his high school sweetheart, Marcia McCasland, in 1953 and became the father 
of two boys, Karl R. "Tam" Thomas and Christopher T. "Kip" Thomas. 

He is survived by his wife and children, one daughter in law, two granddaughters, and many nieces, 
nephews and cousins. Services were held on Friday, October 4, at Christ Episcopal Church with a 
military burial at graveside in Oakwood Cemetery in Jefferson.