Graveside services for Gene Thomas, will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, in the Salem Cemetery with Rev. Richard Hetzel officiating. Interment will follow, under the direction of Netherton Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM on Monday, November 7, at the funeral home.
Mr. Thomas passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2011, at Brownwood Regional Medical Center.
Franklin Eugene Thomas was born September 26, 1927, into a big family. He was one of 11 children born to Jeptha Richard and Lula Mae Thomas. He claimed the secret to being one of the youngest was being faster and smarter than the others. He had a good childhood that left some wonderful memories and great stories.
Gene graduated from Moran High School in 1946, where he met his future wife, Iva Lou Simpson. He said the story was simple, he was the best football player and she was the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. That was that. After graduating, he joined the US Army and served with the 11th Airborne Division in Japan. Gene enjoyed serving his country and never tired of telling stories of the adventures that came with it.
He retired from Gulf Oil Company in west Texas and moved to Bangs in 1975, where he enjoyed raising cattle and at any moment could tell you exactly how many he had and expected to have by the next morning. He owned and operated F.E. Thomas Oil and Gas Company, where he spent a great deal of time driving throughout central Texas and making new friends.
Just working wasn’t enough for Gene Thomas! He was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, the Scottish Rite and was very proud of the work he did with the Shriners. He especially loved participating in the Shriner Circus and all the help it brought to the children. He loved to dance, and from his tales, he always had the ladies lining up for a spin with him on the dance floor.
While Gene would never boast, he took great pride in everything he ever did. He was an unstoppable advocate of hard work and integrity. He swore he was never sick a day in his life, and certainly had no interest in retiring because he’d have no idea what to do with himself.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are his children, Weldon Thomas and wife Irena, Gary Thomas and Donna Dodds and husband Chuck; grandchildren (all of which he claimed his favorite) Jennifer Thomas, Travis Thomas and wife Shelley, Raina Hood, William Thomas, Shauna Dodds-King and husband James, Sarah Dodds and Emily Schomer and husband James; and great-grandchildren, Tristan Thomas and Brody Thomas. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, G.C. Thomas, Doris Garrett and Lorea Kays.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva Lou Simpson Thomas; his daughter, Brenda Thomas; his parents, Jeptha Richard Thomas and Lula Mae Parrish Thomas; four brothers, Travis Thomas, Prentice C. Thomas, A.J. Thomas and Guy W. Thomas; three sisters, Alene Durham, Rena Mae Abadie, and Inez Lewis.
Gene Thomas never stopped moving, never stopped being strong and never stopped believing he could whoop anyone that needed it. The many people he knew will carry on what he believed in. He taught us all lessons on how to be a good people, hard workers, honest neighbors, loving families and excellent dancers. We won’t be sad when we think of him, he would say “there ain’t no sense in that.” Then, he would probably tell us to get back to work, and back to living.
Gene will be dearly missed, but certainly never forgotten.
Friends and family members are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.nethertonfuneralhome.com
