Richard Lanier Thomas' Obituary
Thomas Richard Lanier Richard Lanier Thomas died very suddenly on Saturday, April 11 of congestive heart failure at age 83, standing firm on the promises of God and sliding into Heaven just in time to be with Jesus on Easter. He was a true servant of God, never wanting to draw attention to himself, but very content to quietly serve in the shadows. Rich was a Dallas native and the son of Roscoe Lanier Thomas and Louise Humble Thomas. He graduated from Sunset High School where he was an ROTC officer, President of his Senior class, a Varsity Cheerleader and an Eagle Scout. He joined the Navy in 1944, was assigned to the V-12 college program and was discharged in 1946. He was recalled in 1950 during the Korean War and served aboard the USS Valley Forge aircraft carrier as Tactical Communicator and Public Information Officer, and was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Lieutenant. Rich received his BBA from the SMU School of Business and his Juris Doctor from the SMU School of Law. He joined the legal staff of Collins Radio Co. and was later named General Attorney for Continental Electronics Manufacturing Company. Continental was acquired by Ling-Temco (which later became Ling-Temco-Vought) and he was transferred to the LTV legal department as associate general counsel. Later he served as Vice President and Executive Assistant to the Chairman of LTV, James J. Ling. In later years, he was a founder of Maverick Exploration Co. (oil) and still later was President of BBT Corp. (real estate). He was a member of the Dallas and Texas Bar Associations, serving as an officer and director of the Dallas Bar in 1966. He organized the Corporate Counsel Section of the Bar in 1962 and served as its first Chairman. He was appointed by Governor Preston Smith as a charter member of the Board of Regents of Texas State Technical College and served from 1969-1974. He served as a Founder and Director of Main Street National Bank (which was later acquired by Texas Commerce Bank) from 1969-1982. He was President of Toastmasters International in 1963. He served as a member of the Advisory Board of Southwestern Legal Foundation Law Enforcement Institute from 1971-1984; as a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Texas at Arlington from 1968-1971; and as a member of the Dallas Draft Board No. 30 during the Vietnam war. He served as a member of the Executive Board of Perkins School of Theology from 1994-2002. He was associated with the Dallas Easter Seal Society from 1960-1988, serving in various capacities and on the Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the State Board of the Easter Seal Society of Texas from 1975-1977. He chaired the Dallas Easter Seal Telethon in 1985. Rich became acquainted with Zola Levitt of Zola Levitt Ministries while on a tour of the Holy Land with his group in 1982. Zola was a Messianic Jew teaching the Bible through writings, songs and television. Rich volunteered to help and became a Director, Counselor and Friend. Rich participated in the Ministry’s growth from Zola and just one assistant into an international teaching television ministry serving millions. Zola went home to be with Jesus in April of 2006, but the ministry continues to teach those who wish to learn more of our Jewish heritage. In 1983, Rich was led to offer legal services pro bono to the East Dallas Cooperative Parish, a group of seven churches providing assistance to the multi-ethnic residents of East Dallas. That experience led Rich to become involved with the Ruff House Ministries, best described as a Christian-based home-for-the-homeless, steadfastly following Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: “for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me inTruly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Rich volunteered to help with fund raising, legal problems of the homeless, interfacing with the city and state governments and anything else they needed. While working with the Ruff House Ministries, Rich helped organize the Feed My Sheep Ministries, a Christian-based home for the mentally handicapped; he also served them as a Counselor and Advisor for many years. As a long-time member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, Rich served on the Administrative Board for many years and taught several adult Sunday School classes. In 2002, he was baptized with Holy Water from the River Jordan which he had brought back from his Holy Land trip with Zola. It was the most profound and moving experience of his life. Above all, Rich was a spiritual man with a deep faith and abiding love of Christ, which he expressed in countless kindnesses to countless people. Rich is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Barton Thomas, his daughter and son-in-law Suzy and Rob Renz of Dallas, his daughter and son-in-law Missy and Rich Kirkpatrick of Orlando, and his grandchildren Caleb, Hannah, Nathan and Rachel Kirkpatrick of Orlando. He is also survived by his sister Jackie McNutt of Houston, his nephews Tom, Greg and Jack McNutt, his in-laws John and Fredna Mahaffey of Springfield, MO, his niece Beth Anderson, nephew Robert Mahaffey and many extended family members. Rich was predeceased by his nephew Steve McNutt and his cousin Dick Hill. A Celebration of Rich’s life will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m. with reception immediately following at The Dallas Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75205; Zola Levitt Ministries, 10300 N. Central Expwy., Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75231; Feed My Sheep Ministries, 104 Durham, Seagoville, TX 75159; or Ruff House Ministries, P.O. Box 426, Hutchins, TX 75141.
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