Thomas graduated from Moore High School a really long time ago. He was active in organizing the annual Moore High School reunions and enjoyed getting together with his classmates. He has remained friends with so many of them over the years.
After high school, Thomas worked at Unit Parts in Oklahoma City building carburetors and participated in the Army Reserves for 6 years. His parents, Floyd and Dixie, established General Auto Supply in 1961. Thomas worked as the auto mechanic there until it closed in 2004. At that time, he began mowing lawns with his grandson, Zach. Thomas continued mowing lawns until September of this year.
Thomas had a passion for drag racing cars in the late 1950’s. He rekindled that passion by restoring and modifying his famous ’74 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, his “Hot Rod Lincoln.” Sometimes he picked the grandkids up from school in the Lincoln. Codie, Zach and Colton thought it was cool. Kylie was embarrassed. Codie remembers him stopping at 7 Eleven after school for Icees and listening to Merle Haggard in the car.
Thomas was a very active coach and activity organizer. He enjoyed coaching and attending his sons’ and grandsons’ baseball games while they were in school. When Craig was 15, he helped him get started in go kart racing. He was instrumental in helping to organize the Oklahoma Jet Ski Association (OJSA) races in Oklahoma in the early 1980s and 1990s. He could be found with several friends testing and tuning at Draper Lake most weekends. As an experienced mechanic with a need for speed, he could always be counted on to step in and help other jet ski racers. He and his son, Clay, had the prestige of building and racing the first jet ski to enter the OVER 50 MPH Club in standup jet ski races.
Thomas was baptized earlier this year at Immanuel Baptist Church in Norman.
He is survived by his sons, Craig (Trish) and Clay and grandchildren, Zachary (Megan), Colton, Autumn, Codie Clifton (Justin) and Kylie McGraw (Theron) and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Thomas will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Primrose Funeral Service, 1109 North Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071.
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