Roy Thomas' Obituary
Roy Lee Thomas was born in Bethel, Texas, a community near Palestine on April 19, 1921. He attended Cayuga High School, Cayuga, Texas, where he did a good job of playing basketball. He graduated from High School in 1939 and entered Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, Texas in the fall. He attended college at Huntsville, Texas three years. While in college he took private flying lessons. In 1942 Mr. Thomas joined the Marine Air Corp, in which he served three years. During this World War II period, he was stationed in various islands in the Pacific. He flew 223 missions over enemy territory. He has many medals to be proud of but is too modest to speak of them. After he was released from military service, he joined the Marine Corp Reserve. He had the high rank of a Major in the Corp, which he worked to receive. Mr. Thomas attended the University of Texas in Austin and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in 1949. While completing his degree he held a position as Superintendent of Bethol Independent School District, until he was recalled to active duty in 1950. He came back to Texas University and completed his Masters Degree, attending school in the summer and the winter when he was not teaching. Modest as Mr. Thomas was about his awards, we must give you only a few of his achievements. He received 2 distinguished Flying Crosses, 9 gold stars in lieu of 9 air medals, a letter of commendation with combat “V” awards. He flew the F-9F Couger (jet). Aside from his work in the Air, he taught school for five years and all of his fellow workers held him in the highest esteem. He was a fine teacher, a willing and cooperative worker, polite, kind, and always well groomed. He held an office in the Dallas Social Studies Teachers Club and is a member of various committees in other teachers organizations. Mr. Thomas had a lovely wife, Helen, who teaches school at Grand Prairie. We of course received help from Mrs. Thomas to find out a few of the detaiIs of Mr. Thomas’s life. Mr. Thomas enjoyed flying planes, playing the accordian, whistling, reading, and chatting. He could sing too. Graveside Service for Roy will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, October 2, 2015 in Restland Memorial Park, Garden of the Gospel. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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