Joel Christopher Thomas

He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Joel was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 6, 1964. He was a loyal son, brother, and friend, and lived his life in pursuit of making others happy. Joel was a big thinker, a selfless giver, and his heart was bigger than he was. Additionally, he had earned the sought-after title of “the fun uncle”, and held a special place in the hearts of his nieces and nephews through his willingness to be silly and his unconditional care.

Joel was a highly successful businessman, creating and launching multiple successful businesses; he mentored and trained countless people who went on to become highly successful themselves. Joel, though he undoubtedly enjoyed making money, took far greater pleasure in being right about the concept, creating an unbeatable business model, and enjoining other people to become part of his brigade. Joel was the ultimate entrepreneur: extremely smart, fearless, diligent (okay, not super diligent), and possessed boundless vision and unwavering confidence that he was right.

Joel loved The Three Tenors, hot air balloons, English bulldogs, Porsche 911’s, B’s, iced tea with extra ice and extra lemon, research, monopoly, holding hands, fighting for the underdog, his nieces and nephews, and asking deep questions about faith.

He preferred relationships and experiences far more than making money. He had an appreciation for the little things in life that most overlook, and despite his age, never ceased to have a sense of wonder and insatiable curiosity of the world around him.

Joel was blessed with a devoted family who loved him very much and would do anything for him.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert & Mary Thomas and Virgil & Lois Thomas.

Joel is survived by his parents, Bobbye Stevens (Larry), Warren Thomas (Jeri), and his brothers and sisters-in-law Shawn & Paige Thomas, Brian & Dana Thomas, and sister Kristin; his much-loved nieces and nephews, Whitney Thomas, Gray Thomas, Gracey Thomas, Posey Thomas, Whit Thomas, and Emme Miskovsky and countless cousins. He was the cousin who stayed in touch with everyone.

Joel’s memorial service is Tuesday, July 3rd at 2pm at Crossings Community Church Chapel. 14600 North Portland, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73134.

Reverend Doctor Larry Stevens will officiate the service.

If you would like to honor Joel, please make a donation to Insight for Living, the ministry of Charles Swindoll, who was an incredible influence on Joel’s life (www.insightforliving.com), or to the Norman Regional Hospital Foundation (www.nrhfoundation.org) for the heroic efforts they took to treat the viral meningitis and save his life.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Bacchus, Dr. Refai, Dr. Ashfaq, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Dees, Dr. Chacko, and nurses Mallory, Jenny, Rhonda, Rosey, Mac, Misty and the countless others who went above and beyond to show such kindness, love and care to Joel and our entire family.