Rodger Thomas
October 16, 1918 — May 16, 2012
Rodger Thomas
Rodger William Thomas, 93, a long time resident of Waco, passed away May 16, 2012, in Allen, TX. A final viewing will take place at OakCrest Funeral Home, Monday, May 21, at 1 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. with Rev. Chris Mesa, Pastor of Austin Avenue Methodist Church, officiating and the internment following at Waco Memorial Park Cemetery.
Rodger was born Oct. 16, 1918, the second of four sons, to Willis & Villa Thomas in Logansport, IN. He was a member of the Austin Avenue Methodist Church and the Waco Masonic Lodge. He was a WWII veteran serving in the U. S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. After the war, he owned Tucker auto dealership and a furniture store in Indiana. Rodger joined American Income Life Insurance Company in 1952 then moved to Waco as Vice President of sales for the state of Texas. After retiring from the insurance business, he owned and managed fast food restaurants, one of which was the first Arby's in Waco. He became a realtor in 1973, served on the Waco board of Realtors, and retired in 1996. Rodger was an avid Baylor Bear fan.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Annabelle Foster Thomas.
Rodger is survived by two sons, Kenneth Thomas of Beaumont, CA, and Larry Thomas of Fairview, TX; four grandchildren, Paige Thomas Randel of Ft. Worth, Amy Flury, David Thomas and Harold Thomas, of CA; 11 great-grandchildren, Larson Christian Stimson and Lindsy Paxtin Stimson of Fort Worth, TX; and one great-great-grandchild.
A loving son, husband and father, he will be missed by his family and friends.
Rodger was born Oct. 16, 1918, the second of four sons, to Willis & Villa Thomas in Logansport, IN. He was a member of the Austin Avenue Methodist Church and the Waco Masonic Lodge. He was a WWII veteran serving in the U. S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. After the war, he owned Tucker auto dealership and a furniture store in Indiana. Rodger joined American Income Life Insurance Company in 1952 then moved to Waco as Vice President of sales for the state of Texas. After retiring from the insurance business, he owned and managed fast food restaurants, one of which was the first Arby's in Waco. He became a realtor in 1973, served on the Waco board of Realtors, and retired in 1996. Rodger was an avid Baylor Bear fan.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Annabelle Foster Thomas.
Rodger is survived by two sons, Kenneth Thomas of Beaumont, CA, and Larry Thomas of Fairview, TX; four grandchildren, Paige Thomas Randel of Ft. Worth, Amy Flury, David Thomas and Harold Thomas, of CA; 11 great-grandchildren, Larson Christian Stimson and Lindsy Paxtin Stimson of Fort Worth, TX; and one great-great-grandchild.
A loving son, husband and father, he will be missed by his family and friends.
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