A Celebration of Life service for Donald “Don” Lee Thomas age 84 of Enid will be 3:00 pm Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Vernon Lee officiating. Cremation and service arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Don was born June 25, 1935 in Eldon, MO to John Wesley and Goldie Hazel (Thacker) Thomas, and passed away Sunday, November 3, 2019 in The Commons Nursing Home. He was raised in Eldon, MO. He joined the US Air Force when he was a young man. Don was an over the road truck driver, and had been in most of the 48 states. He retired from Yellow Freight in 1995. He fought a battle with alcoholism and had celebrated 20+ years of sobriety that he was very proud of.
He made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as a young man. Don was a kind, caring man and liked to clown around when the occasion was right. He went to the Senior Citizens centers in the area, where he made many new friends. He also liked to dance; country and Christian music were his favorites. He enjoyed good food and a big steak.
Don loved his family dearly and his favorite animals were dogs. He had many pet dogs in his lifetime. They got the best of care. He also liked eagles and had a large collection of them. Details were not one of his strong points. His filing system was non-existent except for the “pile it” system; pile it here and pile it over there. He also liked to tinker with cars and lawn mowers. He liked mowing and working in the yard. One fall he planted dozens of tulip bulbs; we had lots and lots of tulips when spring came.
Don was preceded in death by is parents and a brother, Larry Thomas.
Don is survived by his companion and caregiver, Erna Schieffer; children, Janet Wiegand, Linn, MO, from his first marriage. From his second marriage to Virginia (Thompson) Thomas, his children are Kevin Thomas, Woodriver, IL; Theresa Carroll (Dan Byrd), Eldon, MO; Mark Thomas and wife Serry, of Moffat, CO; Jennifer Strange, Enid, OK; Shane Thomas, Barnett, MO; Eric Thomas (Tina Parks), of Hillsboro, MO; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one brother, Kenneth Thomas, Valley, CA; a sister, Hazel Jeffries, of Gamdonton, MO; as well as many nieces, nephews and lots of friends.
Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.