David Ray Thomas Jr.'s Obituary
Our beloved David Thomas passed peacefully into the arms of God, Saturday, June 6th, 2009, after a long and valiant battle against cancer. David’s tender spirit and courageous fight has touched us all, and will stay with us forever. David Ray Thomas, Jr. was born March 3, 1951, at Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, to David Ray Thomas, Sr. and Earline Armstrong Thomas. He spent the first two years of life living in Puerto Rico, then moved with his parents back to Garland, Texas, where he lived the remainder of his life. David was a loyal Garland Owl, and graduated from Garland High School in l970. He attended Eastfield Jr. College, where he met his lovely wife, Rebecca Turner. They were married February 3, l973. David held a variety of jobs, his most recent and most favorite being that of Quality Control Inspector at Tidel Engineering Firm. It was there he made many lasting friendships with people who have rallied strong around him this past year of his illness. He had several hobbies, which included his love of NASCAR and all things racing related; supporting with fervor his Dallas Cowboys, and of course, the University of Texas Longhorns. David was a Texan to the core, and was always proud of all things which represented his great state. He was a fixer of all things, and loved to tinker with gadgets, finding new and innovative ways to repair anything broken, rather than buy something new. His greatest joy, however, was his family and his friends. His gentle nature, easy smile and tender heart have touched the lives of so many people. He was loyal in all things – marriage, friendship, and family. David was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Rose Armstrong, and grandmother Anna Mary Thomas, as well as his father, David Ray Thomas, Sr. He is survived by his precious wife, Rebecca (Becky) Thomas and his sweet daughter, Tiffany Faye Thomas of Garland, his mother, Earline Thomas of Carlsbad, NM, a sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Jim Lunardon, of Carlsbad, NM, a brother, Michael E. Thomas, of Dallas, Texas, his aunt, Betty Thomas of Laurinburg, NC, aunt and uncle Clydene and Tom Thomas, of Dallas, TX, uncle Eric Thomas, of Terre Haute, IN, and his mother-in-law, Ruth Turner. He is also survived by many loving neices and nephews, as well as children he and Becky loved and cared for through the years. Visitation is Monday, June 8th, 6pm – 8pm at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be held Tuesday, June 9th, at 12:30pm at the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Justin Cowan, Bob Cornwall, Matthew McGlinn, Brad Settle, Chris Jones and Matt Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be his many friends of Tidel Engineering in Carrollton, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Urban Park Assembly of God, Landsun Homes, 2002 Westridge Rd., Carlsbad, NM, 88220, or to the charity of your choice in memory of David Ray Thomas, Jr.
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