Born during a winter storm on the family farm in Brown County on January 11, 1920, Dalton Thomas was the second child of Charles Carlos Thomas and Myrtle Elsie New Thomas. Like many of his generation, he went on to serve in the Army during WWII. Trained to invade Norway, he was later transferred to the invasion force that landed in Italy. He saw action at the Monte Casino Abbey; received the Croix de la Guerre for freeing a village in France; received a Silver Star, and was wounded two times, earning two Purple Hearts. He still carries one bullet with him.
Returning home he caught the eye of a green-eyed beauty queen in Brownwood who he was married to for 65 years. Dalton and Dolores raised three daughters: Vickie and twins, Teri and Toni, in Houston, where he was an industrial radiographer and quality control engineer.
After the girls left home, Dalton and Dolores moved to Greece where he was in charge of building a refinery. He also spent several years doing the same in Borneo. Their intense love of family brought them home to Brownwood as they cared for their parents and other family members and made a home destined for family reunions. Dalton also enjoyed making music at the local senior citizen homes, the Lion’s Club at Lake Brownwood and the surrounding area. After retiring from his musicals, Dalton and Dolores moved to Andrews to be near their daughter Teri. Dalton later moved to Lindale, Texas, where daughter Toni lives. Dalton died in Mineola, TX on September 29, 2017.
Dalton was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dolores. He is survived by a sister, Tommy Weigle of Kerrville, TX, three daughters and their husbands: Vickie and Ronnie Walker of Georgetown, TX; Toni and Charley Orbison of Lindale, TX; and Teri and Charles Simpson of Andrews, TX; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for Dalton Thomas, age 97 will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early, Texas. The family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday at the Heartland Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
Heartland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
